Peace Corps Volunteer Educates Thai Community on Dengue Fever

• Contact

  Press Office

• Phone

  202.692.2230

• Fax

  202.692.1379

• Email

  pressoffice@peacecorps.gov

WASHINGTON, D.C., February 8, 2012 Peace Corps volunteer Roger Brubaker of Lancaster, Pa., is working with his community in Thailand to prevent incidences of Dengue fever by promoting the use of homemade mosquito traps. To date, Brubaker has helped more than 900 community members build the mosquito ovitraps with common household products.

"The use of these traps in the home is particularly effective because it puts people in a position to be responsible for their own health and safety rather than relying on anyone else, said Brubaker, a Dickinson College graduate who has been working as a community development volunteer in Thailand since January 2011. If people are personally invested and educated in their own health, and the health of their community, they will be more likely to make healthy choices.

Each house is equipped with about six traps, which are made with bamboo, a 1.25 liter soda bottle, a metal screen, thumb tacks, paperclips, grass, water and a dark cloth. According to the World Health Organization, Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection that causes flu-like illness, and can develop into a potentially deadly complication.

Peace Corps volunteers worldwide work in disease prevention, teaching classes in HIV prevention, educating at-risk populations, and developing community support for children orphaned by AIDS. Peace Corps volunteers also work to educate local populations on malaria prevention techniques.

About Peace Corps/Thailand: More than 5,040 Peace Corps volunteers have served in Thailand since the program was established in 1962. Currently, 106 volunteers serve in Thailand. Volunteers work in the areas of education and community development. Volunteers are trained and work in the Thai language.

About the Peace Corps: Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps by executive order on March 1, 1961, more than 200,000 Americans have served in 139 host countries. Today, 9,095 volunteers are working with local communities in 75 host countries. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment and the agencys mission is to promote world peace and friendship and a better understanding between Americans and people of other countries. Visit www.peacecorps.gov for more information.