Infectious outbreaks, like the recent localised adenovirus epidemics, can compromise military training and operational readiness. The rise of epidemics, zoonoses and disruptive biotechnologies has increased the need for new means to manage and prepare for disease outbreaks. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of collecting data for situational awareness, forecasting and infection tracing. However, the effective use of data remains in the early stages of development. The implementation of advanced computational methods, combined with the prompt use of comprehensive data on contacts, pathogens, infections and healthcare, is essential for developing the next era of epidemiological computational models. These tools facilitate informed decision-making, enhance situational awareness and support effective mitigation measures, and both operational readiness and health of military personnel. The tools mentioned also support resource preparation, trend prediction and proactive planning. Outbreak prevention measures of outbreaks benefit from collaboration, coordination and data sharing between civil and military authorities.
Parhiala et al. (Thu,) studied this question.