Deploy to Diagnose: Enhancing Pandemic Preparedness With NATO Field Lab Capabilities

Laboratory testing capabilities are critical for pandemic preparedness and response. However, deployable laboratory assets are not typically designed for the high-throughput demands of large-scale disease outbreaks. Validating such capabilities in field conditions requires deliberate planning and execution. Here, we outline the setup, execution, challenges, and lessons learned from the multinational Task Force Lab at Clean Care 2024 (CC24), a live NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) training exercise in Hungary.

During CC24, an outbreak of a morbilliform virus, with pre-prepared nasopharyngeal swab samples, was simulated during the exercise. Task Force Lab received and processed samples to assess accuracy and turnaround times, while endemic disease surveillance and foodborne outbreak testing were also performed. Statistical analysis included daily performance updates and composite accuracy assessment, using a sample key maintained by a trusted agent within Task Force Lab.

Over the course of the exercise, 4 microbiology laboratories processed 891 samples. Two partner laboratories (Germany and Hungary) simultaneously handled 825 samples from the simulated outbreak with a 98% overall testing accuracy. Additional laboratories focused on endemic disease surveillance (Italy) and foodborne enteric disease outbreak testing (Romania). The 1st Area Medical Laboratory (United States) provided a command-and-control function, directed sample distribution, and results reporting. Key challenges included lack of standardized form usage and variability in laboratory capabilities.

Task Force Lab demonstrated the feasibility of conducting high throughput microbiological testing in a deployed setting, providing a framework for future exercises and real-world operations.