An evidence-based vector control strategy for military deployments : the Bristish army experience

Congrès Médecine Tropicale • 2001 • 61 • 1 • 91 Despite the availability for most arthropod-borne diseases of effective drug and non-drug preventive measures, these diseases continue to pose a serious threat to deployed troops. A recent analysis of short... More

Congrès Médecine Tropicale • 2001 • 61 • 1 • 91 Despite the availability for most arthropod-borne diseases of effective drug and non-drug preventive measures, these diseases continue to pose a serious threat to deployed troops. A recent analysis of short missions carried out by NATO forces during the 1990s to various malaria-endemic regions found that the crude attack rate of malaria was typically ABSTRACT • We describe the British Army’s current strategy for controlling arthropod vectors of disease during overseas deployments. Military commanders and medical officers have different, but complementary responsibilities in achieving vector control. In this paper we define a hierarchy of evidence-based vector control guidelines. Field guidelines must be based on the best available research evidence, preferably that derived from pragmatic randomised controlled trials (RCTs), and from systematic reviews of trials. Assessing the effectiveness of different vector control measures involve Less