War-Related Infectious Disease Outbreaks: Dynamics, Determinants, and Public Health Responses

Nambi Namusisi H.

School of Natural and Applied Sciences Kampala International University Uganda

ABSTRACT

Armed conflict creates unique epidemiological conditions that intensify the emergence, transmission, and impact of infectious disease outbreaks. This review synthesizes evidence on the historical evolution, transmission dynamics, and public health challenges associated with war-related epidemics. Conflict settings alter disease patterns through mass population displacement, overcrowding, degradation of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure, collapse of governance, and disruption of routine health services, including vaccination. Surveillance and laboratory capacities are weakened, leading to delayed outbreak detection and distorted epidemiological visibility. Using a combination of epidemiological models, case studies from Nigeria, Syria, and other conflict zones, and documented humanitarian responses, the paper explores how conflict-driven determinants shape outbreak trajectories and complicate interventions. The findings highlight persistent operational barriers, including restricted access to affected populations, inadequate supply chains, and limited vaccination coverage in insecure regions. The review underscores the need for strengthened surveillance systems, coordinated humanitarian action, and resilient health systems capable of withstanding crisis-induced shocks. Ultimately, effective management of war-related infectious disease outbreaks hinges on integrating emergency response with long-term system recovery, governance reinforcement, and ethical humanitarian engagement.

Keywords: War-related outbreaks, Conflict epidemiology, Public health response, Disease surveillance, and Humanitarian health systems.

CITE AS: Nambi Namusisi H. (2026). War-Related Infectious Disease Outbreaks: Dynamics, Determinants, and Public Health Responses. IDOSR JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL SCIENCES 12(1): 86-90. https://doi.org/10.59298/IDOSR/JES/06/1218690