Accession Number:

AD1099456

Title:

Controlling the Spread of Contagious Disease in an Operational Environment

Descriptive Note:

Technical Report

Corporate Author:

Institute for Defense Analyses Alexandria

Personal Author(s):

• Burr, Julia K
• Cubeta,Robert L
• LaViolet,Lucas A
• Oxford,Sean M

Report Date:

2020-02-01

Pagination or Media Count:

100.0

Abstract:

Should an operationally significant outbreak of infectious disease occur during an ongoing military operation, US and Joint Force Commanders may consider a variety of measures to limit the spread of the outbreak and minimize its impact on operations and on the health of the force. The selection of any measure or set of measures will depend on a variety of factors, including the type of operation, the availability and effectiveness of outbreak control measures, and the potential operational degradation due to outbreak controls. This paper assesses the potential costs and benefits of a variety of outbreak control measures, including medical countermeasures and restrictions of movement, and considers the influence of several operational challenges and disease characteristics on the outcome. From this assessment, the paper derives a set of generalized rules of thumb to support commanders in selecting outbreak controls.

Descriptors:

• infectious diseases
• disease outbreaks
• military operations
• cost benefit analysis
• medical countermeasures
• quarantine
• public health
• health services
• personal protective equipment
• situational awareness

Subject Categories:

• Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics
• Microbiology

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE