NAMRU South Microbiologist Supports Amazon Riverine Mission
LIMA, Peru – Lt. Bret Peterson, a microbiologist with Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU) SOUTH, completed a 45-day health security riverine operation performing pathogen surveillance in the Amazon from April 30 to June 13.
Peterson visited over 30 different communities throughout the Amazon aboard one of the Peruvian Navy’s 12 Plataformas Itinerantes de” Acción Social (PIAS) vessels as it provided various services to communities along the river, including healthcare access to services such as vaccinations, minor surgeries and medicines.
Peterson’s role during this mission was to collect blood samples to identify malaria and dengue-related illnesses, leveraging the unique data collection possible in the Amazon. The field data and biological samples Peterson collected contribute to improving NAMRU SOUTH researchers’ overall understanding of how infectious diseases impact the warfighter in austere environments.
“Working with the Peruvian Ministry of Health’s laboratory technician, I received patient blood samples to identify positive malaria cases by microscopy and molecular diagnostic techniques. I also brought rapid tests for Dengue detection and saved blood samples on filter paper for future molecular analysis and used a NAMRU SOUTH BioFire with Global Fever and Respiratory Panels for rapid molecular detection, as needed,” said Peterson.
Working alongside Peruvian partners during this mission allowed Peterson to observe their operations and to gather actionable data on infectious diseases and how they affect warfighters in operational domains.
“Embedding a NAMRU SOUTH microbiologist aboard the Peruvian Navy’s PIAS vessel expanded biosurveillance capabilities, generated valuable public health data and supported both humanitarian assistance and regional health security,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jose Garcia-Vega, science director for NAMRU SOUTH.
The BAP Rio Yavari vessel that Peterson and the Peruvian Navy transited on conducts roughly five missions annually. Peterson’s deployment marks the first time since 2018 that a NAMRU SOUTH officer has accompanied the Peruvian Navy on a PIAS mission.
“We were able to gather information on the infectious disease burden in areas of the Amazon that we would not normally have access to,” Peterson explained.
These collaborations aim to strengthen the relationship between NAMRU SOUTH and its Peruvian partners, while advancing shared health security objectives. Both organizations are seeking to collaborate on recurring iterations of this mission in the future.
“Infectious diseases do not respect borders,” Peterson added. “Collaborating with partner nations strengthens surveillance capabilities, builds trust, and improves our collective ability to detect and respond to emerging health threats while reinforcing longstanding military partnerships.”
NAMRU SOUTH, part of Navy Medicine Research & Development, conducts research, surveillance and studies of vaccines, therapeutic agents, diagnostic assays and vector control measures in the SOUTHCOM Area of Responsibility to better prevent and treat infectious diseases in support of Navy, Marine Corps and joint U.S. warfighter health, readiness and lethality.
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