How WRAIR-Africa Ensures Force Health During Justified Accord ’25: Key Insights and Highlights

NAIROBI, Kenya – The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research – Africa (WRAIR-Africa) recently supported the Justified Accord exercise in Kenya, held from February 10-21, 2025. This annual event, the largest of its kind in East Africa, brought together over 1,500 participants from 20 nations, including Kenya, Uganda, and the UK. The main goal? To boost cooperation and enhance regional security.

WRAIR-Africa played a vital role in identifying environmental health threats. Their team monitored potential pathogens by conducting vector surveillance, which means they collected samples of mosquitoes, sandflies, and ticks, alongside wastewater analyses. During this exercise, they discovered nine significant pathogen threats, including bacteria responsible for Q fever and epidemic typhus.

“Understanding what pathogens are present in the environment is crucial to keeping our soldiers safe,” shared Maj. John Eads, Chief of Entomology at WRAIR-Africa. For instance, norovirus, known for causing outbreaks on cruise ships, was identified as a potential risk during the exercise. Early detection is key to ensuring effective preventive measures are put in place.

Beyond health protection, WRAIR-Africa’s involvement also provides learning opportunities. They assess the support needs for large-scale operations, like testing tools that can work without the need for cold storage, which is crucial in challenging conditions.

“Being part of Justified Accord helps us pinpoint gaps in health protection for military personnel,” Eads explained. The exercise not only helps safeguard soldiers but also enables WRAIR-Africa to improve its strategies for future operations.

After this exercise, WRAIR-Africa compiled a detailed report. This document will guide future health surveillance efforts and enhance support systems for troops in the field.

Justified Accord, led by the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), is set to grow even larger. The next iteration plans to include units from 23 countries and five observer nations. This multinational approach is essential for training forces to respond effectively to humanitarian crises and emergencies.

With the lessons learned from Justified Accord, WRAIR-Africa is better equipped to protect the health of soldiers and improve interventions for diverse challenges. The importance of initiatives like these cannot be overstated, as they create safer environments for service members and deepen international cooperation, critical in today’s global landscape.

For more insights on health risks in military exercises, check out WRAIR’s research.

Source link