Health countermeasures for military deployment

Abstract

Military deployments represent a significant logistic exercise in occupational health. Health countermeasures are important to deal with medical, dental and psychological problems that may be pre-existing or arise during or after deployment. In terms of infectious disease, vector-borne diseases, in particular malaria and the arboviruses, stand out as major concerns for military deployments. However, other common problems, for example diarrhoeal disease and motor vehicle accidents, also need to be addressed. Military forces contribute to the development of guidelines and policies for delivery of effective health countermeasures associated with deployment of troops.