NAMRU-3, CLDJ’s EMF Deliver Mosquito Surveillance Equipment to Djiboutian Ministry of Health

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Colin Sens | Djibouti, Djibouti – Members of Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti (CLDJ), Expeditionary Medical Facility (EMF); Naval Medical Research Unit #3 (NAMRU-3); and the U.S. Embassy, Djibouti; pose for a group photo with members of The National Institute of Public Health of Djibouti (INSPD) during a visit to INSPD in order to provide mosquito surveillance equipment to INSPD, Oct. 7, 2020. The equipment is part of a vector research study between INSPD and NAMRU-3, with support from CLDJ’s EMF, to accurately document the presence of disease transmitting insects in the local communities of Djibouti and to enhance the research partnership between Djibouti and the United States. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Colin Sens)  

DJIBOUTI

10.14.2020

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Colin Sens 

Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti

Djibouti, Djibouti – Members assigned to U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit-No. 3 (NAMRU-3) with support from members of the Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti (CLDJ), Expeditionary Medical Facility (EMF), and the U.S. Embassy, Djibouti, delivered mosquito surveillance equipment to The National Institute of Public Health of Djibouti (INSPD), Oct.7, 2020.

The mosquito surveillance equipment delivery is part of a vector research study in combination with the Djiboutian Ministry of Health to collect and process mosquito samples in the region.

“This laboratory and field equipment will improve INSPD’s ability to document the presence of disease transmitting insects in the local communities of Djibouti,” said NAMRU-3 Microbiologist, U.S. Navy Lt. Jae Dugan. “Furthermore, the equipment enhances the research partnership between NAMRU-3 and INSPD and builds interoperability in vector-borne disease detection.”

According to the World Health Organization, vector-borne diseases are human illnesses caused by parasites, viruses and bacteria and are transmitted via living organisms that spread infectious diseases between humans or from animals to humans, such as mosquitos. Vector-borne diseases include malaria, dengue and yellow fever, all of which are common in Djibouti.

“This partnership with INSPD allows access to a larger entity for collection and processing of samples in areas that we would not have access to otherwise,” said Lt. Joseph Santinoceto, Director for Administration, EMF. “This enables NAMRU-3 to better protect our Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen from diseases in our area of responsibility.”

The Djiboutian Ministry of Health will deploy the mosquito surveillance equipment as part of the study with NAMRU-3 and CLDJ’s EMF providing support and training to their Djiboutian counterparts.

According to Santinoceto, the training will range from mosquito trapping and surveillance techniques to microscope training for Djiboutian lab techs and help identifying genomes of insect populations.

NAMRU-3 conducts research and surveillance to support military personnel deployed to Africa, the Middle East, and Southwest Asia, with a primary mission to study, monitor and detect emerging and re-emerging infectious disease threats of military and public-health importance Their work also includes the evaluation of vaccines, therapeutic agents, diagnostic assays and vector control measures.

Camp Lemonnier is an operational installation that enables U.S., allied and partner nation forces to be where and when they are needed to ensure security in Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia.

• Date Taken: 10.14.2020
• Date Posted: 10.14.2020 08:31
• Story ID: 380797
• Location: DJ