Donated Flea Collars Don't Help Deployed Troops
Navy NewStand
Story Number: NNS030410-14
Release Date: 4/12/2003 9:06:00 AM
From Bureau of Medicine and Surgery Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Donations from home are a welcome sight to deployed troops, but some donated items may cause more harm than good.
In an April 3 memo from the deputy undersecretary of defense for installations and environment, well-meaning donations of flea collars may cause health problems for troops overseas.
According to the Department of Defense (DoD), a number of national media have reported that donated flea collars are being sent to the Iraqi theater of operations to safeguard troops against insect and tick attack. DoD warns that wearing the flea collars can have adverse effects on humans.
Flea collars contain many different kinds of pesticides that are not intended for human use. These pesticides can lead to severe skin reactions, and they may also trigger some chemical agent detectors.
Deployed personnel are advised to follow the recommended DoD insect repellent system, which combines the use of DEET lotion on exposed skin and permethrin on the field uniform to protect against insect-borne diseases.
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