Malaria During Special Forces Operations in the Indo-Pacific Region During the Second World War

Special Forces may expect high casualty rates, such highly-trained soldiers cannot afford infectious disease losses. During World War II, malaria often determined the extent of special operations simply by limiting the time a unit could be deployed in a tropical jungle before fever incapacitated it. During the Allied campaign against the Imperial Japanese Army in Burma in 1943-1944, long-range penetration patrols by both the United States (US) Army (Merrill's Marauders) and British/Indian Army (Chindits) were heavily affected by malaria, causing the majority of their disease casualties. In the Australian Imperial Force, 2/2 Independent Company were eventually evacuated in late 1942 after months in East Timor with essentially all survivors infected with malaria. Chemoprophylaxis remains the best preventive intervention to keep heavily exposed soldiers free of malaria symptoms. Improved regimens that are better tolerated and last for extended periods are still required.

Automated summary

Special Forces cannot afford losses from infectious diseases due to their high level of training. Malaria often determined the extent of special operations during World War II, but chemoprophylaxis remains the best preventive intervention to keep soldiers free of malaria symptoms, and improvement in drug regimens is still needed.