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AFHSD

@AFHSDPAGE

Armed Forces #Health Surveillance Division is the epidemiological health resource for the U.S. #Military Following, shares, likes & links ≠ endorsement.

 Falls Church, VA
health.mil/afhsd
Joined January 2013
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We're tracking the trends! Take preventative action against mosquito-borne illnesses. #DefensePublicHealth #dengue
Defense Public Health (@DefensePubHlth) profile pictureDefense Public Health@DefensePubHlthOct 22
🦟 Deploy the DoW Insect Repellent System. Prevent mosquito bites and know the signs of #dengue: fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle/joint pain, nausea and rash. Protect your health. Protect the mission. #DefensePublicHealth
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What are the health trends impacting our military today? Find out by reading the Medical Surveillance Monthly Report. It provides the insights that help protect service members, strengthen our ability to fight, and support informed decision-making across the force. The #MSMR provides health data that isn’t just data—it’s defense. Stay informed and download the latest issue: health.mil/MSMR #MilitaryHealth #PublicHealth #ForceReadiness
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Diseases transmitted by insects like mosquitos & ticks are known as “vectors”, carrying & transmitting viruses, bacteria, or parasites that cause vector-borne disease. Before you travel, make sure vaccines are current & see if there are any preventive medications available.
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Proud to support @NavyMedicine every day. Happy Belated Birthday!
Military Health System (@MilitaryHealth) profile pictureMilitary Health System@MilitaryHealthOct 13
From day one, @NavyMedicine has stood right beside our Sailors and Marines. From the Revolutionary War to modern hospital ships to front-line combat zones—physicians, nurses, dentists, and hospital corpsmen have healed and saved lives in harm's way. Happy birthday @USNavy!
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AFHSD is proud to celebrate the promotion of our DHA-Public Health Director, Sara Newman, to Rear Admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps! 👏 👏 We are privileged to serve under her guidance as we advance the DHA-Public Health mission.
Defense Health Agency (@DoD_DHA) profile pictureDefense Health Agency@DoD_DHAOct 5
NEWS: Defense Health Agency-Public Health Director Sara Newman promoted to rear admiral dha.mil/News/2026/10/01/17/0…
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Another #AroundTheMHS wrap-up from Military Health, highlighting how health surveillance, data, and early detection help inform public health and protect the health of our force.
Military Health System (@MilitaryHealth) profile pictureMilitary Health System@MilitaryHealthOct 1
News from around the Military Health System for the week of Sept. 28-Oct. 2, 2026, includes MHS mental health support for service members, the Idaho Army National Guard conducting rescues, and the Defense Health Network Continental hosting a measles preparedness exercise.
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Take Preventive Action 💪 Those at higher risk of illness from respiratory viruses include: older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant people, and infants and young children. #FluSeasonReady
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Properly disposing of expired or unused medications prevents accidental misuse, supports overall force readiness, and keeps harmful chemicals out of public and military water systems and the environment. Find an approved drop-off site near you: tricare.mil/drugtakeback #MilitaryHealth #TRICARE #DrugTakeBack
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On Sept 11, we pause to honor the victims & brave heroes who answered the call on that tragic day. Let us carry their legacy forward by observing this National Day of Service & Remembrance. 🇺🇸 #NeverForget #PatriotDay #September11
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AFHSD’s Epidemiology & Analysis Branch met with the @US_FDA’s Office of Surveillance & Epidemiology, within the Center for Drug Evaluation & Research, to evaluate data strengths, tackle shared challenges, and build opportunities for future collaboration. Together, we are advancing health surveillance to safeguard our military community and beyond. #MilitaryHealth #PublicHealth #HealthSurveillance #Epidemiology #Partnership
Meeting members included Sarah Dutcher, Col Celicia Sessions, Amarilys Vega, Ellen Pinnow, Terrence Lee, Silvia Perez-Vilar, Shauna Stahlman, CDR Shayne Gallaway, Fatma Shebl, and Jummai Apata.

ALT Meeting members included Sarah Dutcher, Col Celicia Sessions, Amarilys Vega, Ellen Pinnow, Terrence Lee, Silvia Perez-Vilar, Shauna Stahlman, CDR Shayne Gallaway, Fatma Shebl, and Jummai Apata.

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Members of the Global Emerging Infections Surveillance (GEIS) Branch recently represented AFHSD’s health surveillance mission at the Military Health System Research Symposium (MHSRS) in Kissimmee, Florida! From networking with lab partners to expounding knowledge, the GEIS team joined medical and research professionals from across the DoW. At #MHSRS2026, the GEIS team engaged with internal partners and other agencies to advance DoW-wide surveillance strategies and coordinate initiatives designed to reduce the impact of global infectious disease threats and safeguard warfighter readiness. Thank you to the team for your dedication to force health protection! #PublicHealth #InfectiousDisease #DoDHealth
In the photo taken at #MHSRS2026 are Branch Chief U.S. Army Lt. Col. Brett Swierczewski (center), Deputy Chief June Early (second from right), Senior Data Analyst Marissa Hetrich (far left), Scientific Program Manager Kathleen Creppage (second from left), and Science Advisor Jessica Radzio-Basu (far right).

ALT In the photo taken at #MHSRS2026 are Branch Chief U.S. Army Lt. Col. Brett Swierczewski (center), Deputy Chief June Early (second from right), Senior Data Analyst Marissa Hetrich (far left), Scientific Program Manager Kathleen Creppage (second from left), and Science Advisor Jessica Radzio-Basu (far right).

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NEWS: Here's a quick look at the stories shaping military medicine this week. dha.mil/News
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We hope you enjoyed Bug Week 2026! Day #4 As we highlight the impact of arthropod disease vectors on readiness, we invite the DHA community (CAC holders) to explore the Walter Reed Arthropod Intelligence Threat Hub. wrair.health.mil/Biomedical-… WRAITH is a comprehensive GIS platform that equips our public health and medical professionals with actionable surveillance data on mosquitoes, ticks, and other vectors. By integrating additional diverse data streams—from pesticide resistance testing to global disease reservoirs—this tool enables the complex geospatial analyses required to support proactive Force Health Protection decisions and maintain a medically ready force. #BugWeek #MilitaryHealth
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AFHSD celebrates Bug Week! Day #3 Our Global Emerging Infections Surveillance Branch supports the testing of rare and emerging tick-borne diseases. This work is done by the @DefensePubHlth Military Tick Identification (MilTICK) Program, DoW’s proactive solution to mitigate tick-borne disease risks. This free service provides comprehensive tick identification and pathogen testing, offers insight into individual treatment, and builds a strategic surveillance database to inform force health protection strategies. Use this link to learn more about the MilTICK program: ph.health.mil/topics/entomol… #MilitaryHealth
CPT Jesse Predmore (Commander, ARFOR Medical Detachment, JTF Bravo Preventive Medicine) and Dr. Robyn Nadolny (Defense Center for Public Health - Aberdeen) conduct tick surveillance using flags on Soto Cano Air Base in Comayagua, Honduras.

ALT CPT Jesse Predmore (Commander, ARFOR Medical Detachment, JTF Bravo Preventive Medicine) and Dr. Robyn Nadolny (Defense Center for Public Health - Aberdeen) conduct tick surveillance using flags on Soto Cano Air Base in Comayagua, Honduras.

Dr. Robyn Nadolny (Defense Center for Public Health - Aberdeen), Mr. Adalid Palma (NAMRU-SOUTH, Honduras) and Mr. Victor Zorilla (NAMRU SOUTH, Peru) work with local ranchers and public health officials to collect ticks from cattle in Lamani, Honduras.

ALT Dr. Robyn Nadolny (Defense Center for Public Health - Aberdeen), Mr. Adalid Palma (NAMRU-SOUTH, Honduras) and Mr. Victor Zorilla (NAMRU SOUTH, Peru) work with local ranchers and public health officials to collect ticks from cattle in Lamani, Honduras.

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AFHSD celebrates Bug Week! 🕷️🦟 Did you know that vectors are living organisms—like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas—that transmit infectious diseases to humans? To protect our Joint Force, the GEIS Febrile and Vector-borne Infections team supports surveillance of those front lines. The team helps track pathogens by linking acute febrile illness syndromes directly to the bugs that carry them. They also use data to map threat zones and evaluate safeguards. This #BugWeek, we are committed to keeping our military healthy and ready! 🛡️ #MilitaryHealth #ForceReadiness
This #BugWeek, we are committed to keeping our military healthy and ready!

ALT This #BugWeek, we are committed to keeping our military healthy and ready!

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AFHSD celebrates Bug Week. Day #1 Small bugs, big threats. 🦗🌎 Vectors are living organisms that carry health illnesses, posing a constant challenge to global military operations. This #BugWeek, we are highlighting how the GEIS Febrile and Vector-borne Infections team supports the fight. The GEIS Branch funds infectious disease surveillance to identify threats and diagnostic gaps through its global network of laboratory partners to protect warfighters. Knowledge and informed action is our best defense against vector-borne illness! 💪 #AFHSD #VectorSurveillance #OneHealth
Knowledge and informed action is our best defense against vector-borne illness!

ALT Knowledge and informed action is our best defense against vector-borne illness!

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During a quarterly Coffee with the Captains event, AFHSD's Division Chief, Capt. Richard Langton and Deputy Chief Capt. Carlos Williams met with staff to share insights from public health and recognize military members in honor of their work and commitment to the health surveillance mission. #healthsurveillance #teamwork
AFHSD's Division Chief, Capt. Richard Langton and Deputy Chief Capt. Carlos Williams speak to staff during a Coffee with the Captains event.

ALT AFHSD's Division Chief, Capt. Richard Langton and Deputy Chief Capt. Carlos Williams speak to staff during a Coffee with the Captains event.

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U.S. Army Maj. Hunter Smith received two awards recognizing his accomplishments at AFHSD. For four years, Smith helped establish a globally coordinated network for enteric #pathogen surveillance as the Focus Area Lead for #Antimicrobial-Resistant Infections for the GIES Branch.
The Defense Meritorious Service Medal recognized U.S. Army Maj. Hunter Smith's support to establish a globally coordinated network for enteric pathogen surveillance. Smith led multiple interagency health projects and served as a Department of War representative on several national task forces. AFHSD Chief Capt. Richard Langton presented the award on May 21.

ALT The Defense Meritorious Service Medal recognized U.S. Army Maj. Hunter Smith's support to establish a globally coordinated network for enteric pathogen surveillance. Smith led multiple interagency health projects and served as a Department of War representative on several national task forces. AFHSD Chief Capt. Richard Langton presented the award on May 21.

As a recipient of the Joint Service Achievement Medal, U.S. Army Maj. Hunter Smith planned and coordinated a special supplement in the CDC’s Journal of Emerging Infectious Diseases. The supplement included 18 manuscripts from 18 Department of War laboratories. The issue focused on advances in the detection and characterization of emerging pathogens and represented the contributions of disease surveillance and military readiness. AFHSD GEIS Branch Chief Lt. Col. Brett Swierczewski presented the award.

ALT As a recipient of the Joint Service Achievement Medal, U.S. Army Maj. Hunter Smith planned and coordinated a special supplement in the CDC’s Journal of Emerging Infectious Diseases. The supplement included 18 manuscripts from 18 Department of War laboratories. The issue focused on advances in the detection and characterization of emerging pathogens and represented the contributions of disease surveillance and military readiness. AFHSD GEIS Branch Chief Lt. Col. Brett Swierczewski presented the award.

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U.S. Air Force Maj. Manuel Moncada received the Defense #Meritorious Service Medal on May 21. He served as the Surveillance and Laboratory Field Operations Lead for the Global Emerging Infections Surveillance Branch from June 2022 to 2026 and will soon PCS to a new role.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Manuel Moncada received the award from GEIS Branch Chief Lt. Col. Brett Swierczewski. Moncada provided oversight of a multi-million dollar respiratory infections surveillance portfolio that informed the Food and Drug Administration’s annual influenza vaccine selection.

ALT U.S. Air Force Maj. Manuel Moncada received the award from GEIS Branch Chief Lt. Col. Brett Swierczewski. Moncada provided oversight of a multi-million dollar respiratory infections surveillance portfolio that informed the Food and Drug Administration’s annual influenza vaccine selection.

AFHSD Division Chief U.S. Navy Capt. Richard Langton awarded U.S. Air Force Maj. Manuel Moncada. Moncada helped to drive annual laboratory capability surveys that provided an inventory of global biosurveillance assets, enabling strategic planning across the enterprise. As the leader for the Pathogen Detection Project 2.0, Moncada benchmarked the capabilities of Department of War laboratories against novel biological threats.

ALT AFHSD Division Chief U.S. Navy Capt. Richard Langton awarded U.S. Air Force Maj. Manuel Moncada. Moncada helped to drive annual laboratory capability surveys that provided an inventory of global biosurveillance assets, enabling strategic planning across the enterprise. As the leader for the Pathogen Detection Project 2.0, Moncada benchmarked the capabilities of Department of War laboratories against novel biological threats.

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