The Walter Reed/AFRIMS Research Unit Nepal was established in September 1995 as a United States government-owned field research unit belonging to the Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences in Bangkok, Thailand. Bacterial and Parasitic Diseases Department at USAMD-AFRIMS provides direct oversight for WARUN’s mission and logistical support is provided by the U.S. Embassy in Nepal. Data generated by WARUN field research and collaboration sites support both public health strategies and force health protection strategies in the region.

WARUN has a large laboratory facility with capacity to do microbiology, immunology, parasitology and molecular work in Kathmandu with satellite units in Nepal government hospitals in Bharatpur and Pokhara to support diarrheal and AMR surveillance programs in Nepal. Current major research studies included the epidemiology of acute gastrointestinal illness and clinical outcomes in travelers to Nepal, surveillance and characterization of multidrug resistant organisms at CIWEC and a study of acute febrile illnesses of undetermined etiology in foreign travelers and expatriates in Nepal. 

Current major studies include: 

• Epidemiology of acute gastrointestinal illness and clinical outcomes in travelers to Nepal
• Epidemiology of acute febrile illnesses of unknown origin in foreign travelers and expatriates in Nepal
• Surveillance and characterization of multidrug-resistant organisms at CIWEC Hospital and Travel Medicine Center, Nepal
• Participating site in the Global Emerging Infections Surveillance-Global Travelers’ Diarrhea (GEIS-GTD) study.
• Surveillance as part of the government of Nepal's National Influenza Surveillance Network and other Asian surveillance efforts tracking influenza and SARS-CoV-2
• Participation in disease outbreak investigations with the government of Nepal 

WARUN has also conducted studies examining the diarrhea etiology and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in adults and children in Nepal, working with the Institute of Medicine in Nepal as part of global effort from Foundation of National Institute of Health to look at the etiology, risk factors and interaction of enteric infections and malnutrition and the consequences for child health and development in Nepal (MAL-ED).