Courtesy Photo | LIMA, Peru (Aug. 4, 2026) Students with the Military Tropical Medicine (MTM) Field...... read more read more
LIMA, Peru – Staff with Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU) SOUTH, alongside Peruvian counterparts, participated in the Military Tropical Medicine (MTM) Field Mission August 2-14.
The mission, which took place throughout Lima, Tumbes and Iquitos, included 11 students ranging from physicians, nurses and veterinarians to midshipmen from the Naval Academy. These students were able to work with and learn from patients with endemic infections in health facilities and communities throughout Peru.
NAMRU SOUTH site leaders, alongside support from the command’s entomology and veterinary staff, provided instruction and oversight throughout the mission.
“This program is a valuable asset that educates our military personnel and further strengthens ties with partner nations and other parts of our own network like the Uniformed Services University,” said Henju Marjuki, NAMRU SOUTH chief science officer. “Participation in the field mission also encourages the future rotation of officers and medical personnel at NAMRU locations like NAMRU SOUTH by exposing officers early in their career and providing unique teaching opportunities for staff.”
The mission began at NAMRU SOUTH headquarters, where students learned about the command’s research functions and ongoing projects. During this time in Lima, students visited hospitals to study clinical cases, including a referral center for advanced cases of Leishmaniasis — a parasitic disease caused by infection from Leishmaniaparasites, transmitted through the bite of infected sand flies.
Students then traveled to Tumbes, where they collected larvae and mosquitoes, learning how to identify different species, their characteristics and behavior patterns.
“This immersive experience provided a profound understanding of how cultural norms, public health systems, and localized transmission risks intersect—directly enhancing operational readiness and global health competency,” said Lt. Cmdr. Luhe Mian, a student with MTM.
During the Tumbes leg of the mission, participants attended didactic lectures from world experts in Cysticercosis. They also learned proper personal protective equipment use, various infection control methods and humane practices that are used for surveillance and research.
In Iquitos participants learned about tropical clinical cases, toured lab spaces and visited regional clinics to learn how they function with limited resources. Students also collaborated with researchers from the University of Virginia on Campylobacter field surveillance.
During the final portion of the field mission, participants traveled back to Lima for additional clinical work and to visit Hospital Dos de Mayo, a historic facility where various infectious disease cases have been studied and treated. Participants also visited an Essalud hospital, a neurological institute and part of Peru’s employment-related healthcare network, to learn about neuroinfectious pathology, and visited Peru’s National Institute of Health to learn about poisonous animals and antivenom manufacturing.
“This Military Tropical Medicine field mission sets the standard for similar activities, and its’ success is heavily dependent on time and effort from personnel at NAMRU SOUTH,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jeffrey Spiro, NAMRU SOUTH clinical trials department head. “Through the successful completion of this field mission, participants were able to explore the capabilities and connections NAMRU SOUTH has while strengthening partnerships with current industry collaborators.”
NAMRU SOUTH, part of Navy Medicine Research & Development conducts research and surveillance in the SOUTHCOM Area of Responsibility to prevent and treat infectious diseases in support of U.S. warfighter health and readiness.
Navy Medicine's 44,000+ talented and ready forces optimize health readiness, deliver quality healthcare and provide global expeditionary medical support to warfighters.
| Date Taken: | 08.31.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 08.31.2026 13:23 |
| Story ID: | 573590 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 57 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, NAMRU SOUTH Military Tropical Medicine Field Mission 2026, by Aleece Williams, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
