Military Diseases and Conditions of Interest

Last Updated: August 22, 2023
Scientist holding Petri dish

​​​​​​​​​​Information on diseases that impact the military family such as influenza and infectious respiratory illnesses, vector-borne diseases such as Lyme, new or emerging conditions such as COVID-19 and mpox, and others tracked by the military such as rabies, hepatitis, Ebola and Zika virus.



​​What's New? 

  • Updated ​Military Reportable Medical Events (RMEs) Poster​ (Aug 2023): this quick reference helps staff in military medical facilities remember what conditions need to be reported in DRSi (see below) for military public health notification and surveillance. The 2023 Poster changes to the previous (2020) version include: there are now 71 conditions listed - includes the addition of Babesiosis, COVID-19 Associated Hospitalization or Death, and *Lead Poisoning (Pediatric) events. The (Oct 2022) Armed Forces Reportable Medical Events ​Guidelines and Case DefinitionsExternal Link​ document provides the​ specific reporting guidance for 70 conditions, while the *guidance for Lead Poisoning (Pediatric) events is contained in the AFHSD Lead Poisoning, Pediatric reporting guidanceExternal Link (made a reportable event in 2022, guidance updated 2021 to address CDC's updated 3.5 ug/dL blood lead level). ​

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Military health system data is monitored for several infectious diseases that especially impact the military population and can detract from military readiness - this is referred to as disease surveillance

Disease surveillance can help identify potential clusters or outbreaks among Service Members and beneficiaries. This helps to identify ways to limit the spread and severity of disease outbreaks, as well as ways to prevent future occurrences. 

Surveillance data is primarily from the Disease Reporting Surveillance internet system, or DRSi, which military medical facilities are required to use to capture all cases that meet the criteria of a Reportable Medical Event, or RME. It is important that medical facilities report cases to this system to ensure accurate data about disease trends. 

While data for diseases such as COVID, sexually transmitted infections and monkeypox are not publicly accessible, military disease surveillance reports are available for: