The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research – Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences conducted disease surveillance in support of exercise No Sick Soljia from 28 March to 14 April in Wewak, Papua New Guinea.
No Sick Soljia is an annual exercise conducted by the Papua New Guinea Defence Force in partnership with the Australian Defence Force. This year, the exercise involved participation from the United States. The training exercise is designed to improve the interoperability and readiness of the Papua New Guinea Defence Forces and allied forces.
WRAIR-AFRIMS supported the exercise by implementing field capable technologies for disease surveillance and building PNGDF’s ability to conduct independent health assessments. The team travelled to Moem barracks to screen service members and their families for infectious disease including malaria and G6PD status. G6PD is an enzyme involved in drug metabolism, and individuals with G6PD deficiency can experience serious adverse reactions to certain antimalarial medications. Screening for G6PD status is therefore critical before initiating treatment.
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