DR. DIRK ANTONY GOUGE, DO

PORT ANGELES, WA

Research Active
Orthopaedic Surgery NPI registered 21+ years 2 publications 2025 – 2025 NPI: 1962407551
Orthopaedic Surgery
BiodiversityMosquito ControlMosquito VectorsAedesInsecticidesCaliforniaCitiesPublic HealthIxodidaeArizonaTicksZika Virus InfectionPyrethrinsRickettsiaTick-Borne Diseases

Practice Location

907 GEORGIANA ST
PORT ANGELES, WA 98362-3911

Phone: (360) 565-0999

What does DIRK GOUGE research?

Dr. Gouge studies how different insect control methods affect mosquito and tick populations, and the related risks of diseases such as Zika and those spread by ticks. For example, he investigates the effectiveness of insecticides on Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which can carry Zika virus, to improve public health responses. He also examines the diversity of tick species and the bacteria they may carry in areas like Arizona and California, emphasizing the need for better monitoring and prevention methods for tick-borne diseases.

Key findings

  • In urban Arizona, the current insect sprays do not sufficiently reduce the Aedes aegypti mosquito populations, risking Zika outbreaks.
  • A specific insecticide slightly reduced the number of older female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, but its application frequency was insufficient to assess its overall effectiveness.
  • In a study of 913 ticks collected in the Southwestern United States, most ticks in Arizona were identified as brown dog ticks, while California had five different species, highlighting regional diversity and potential disease risks.

Frequently asked questions

Does Dr. Gouge study Zika virus?
Yes, he studies the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which spreads the Zika virus, focusing on control methods to prevent outbreaks.
What treatments has Dr. Gouge researched for mosquito control?
He has researched various insecticides and their effectiveness on mosquito populations, particularly in urban settings.
Is Dr. Gouge's work relevant to patients in Arizona?
Yes, his research directly impacts public health efforts in Arizona by assessing mosquito control strategies to prevent vector-borne diseases.
How are ticks relevant to public health according to Dr. Gouge's research?
His studies on ticks reveal their diversity and the potential diseases they carry, emphasizing the need for increased public health monitoring.
What types of ticks does Dr. Gouge study?
He studies various tick species, with a focus on those prevalent in Arizona and California, to understand their role in public health risks.

Publications in plain English

Diversity of Ticks and Rickettsiae in the Southwestern United States: Implications for Public Health.

2025

Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)

Arcega Castillo G, Backus LH, Gouge D, Li L, Walker K +1 more

Plain English
This study looked at different types of ticks and the diseases they might carry in Arizona and California from 2021 to 2022. Researchers collected 913 ticks, finding that most ticks in Arizona were brown dog ticks, while California had a greater variety with five different species. The presence of new and unknown types of bacteria suggests we need to pay closer attention to ticks in this region to help prevent tick-borne diseases. Who this helps: This helps public health officials and researchers working to combat tick-borne illnesses.

PubMed

Impacts of ground-based ULV pyrethroid sprays on abundance and age structure of the Zika vector, Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae), in urban Arizona.

2025

Journal of medical entomology

Walker K, Gouge D, Williamson D, Arnbrister J, Joy T +9 more

Plain English
This study looked at how different insect sprays used in Maricopa County, Arizona, affected the population and age of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which can spread diseases like Zika. Researchers found that common sprays targeting other mosquito types did not reduce the number of Aedes aegypti, and while one specific insecticide slightly lowered the number of older female mosquitoes, it was applied too infrequently to judge its overall effectiveness. The findings indicate that the current mosquito control methods are probably not strong enough to prevent Zika outbreaks. Who this helps: This helps public health officials and mosquito control programs in effectively managing disease outbreaks.

PubMed

Frequent Co-Authors

Kathleen Walker Daniel Williamson Joshua Arnbrister Teresa Joy James Will John Townsend Shujuan Li Shakunthala Nair Maureen Brophy Valerie Madera Garcia

Physician data sourced from the NPPES NPI Registry . Publication data from PubMed . Plain-English summaries generated by AI. Not medical advice.