Related Experiment Videos
Gastroenteritis outbreak in British troops, Iraq.
Mark S Bailey1, Christopher J Boos, Guy Vautier
1Army Medical Directorate, Camberley, UK. mark@ramc.org
Emerging Infectious Diseases
|December 2, 2005
Summary
Gastroenteritis outbreaks were common among British military personnel in Iraq, with caliciviruses identified as the cause. The illness frequently required hospitalization and affected hospital staff, particularly clinical workers.
Area of Science:
- Military medicine
- Infectious disease epidemiology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Gastroenteritis posed a significant health challenge for British military forces during the Iraq War.
- High rates of illness impacted operational readiness and healthcare resources.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and etiology of gastroenteritis in British military personnel during the Iraq War.
- To identify risk factors for gastroenteritis among hospital staff.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of medical records for gastroenteritis cases.
- A survey was conducted among 500 hospital staff to assess prevalence and risk factors.
- Laboratory investigations were performed to identify causative agents.
Main Results:
- 1,340 cases of gastroenteritis were recorded in the first month, with 73% requiring hospitalization.
- Hospital staff were significantly affected, with 76% reporting gastroenteritis.
- Clinical workers showed a higher likelihood of contracting gastroenteritis.
- Caliciviruses were identified as the sole causative agent.
Conclusions:
- Calicivirus was the primary cause of gastroenteritis outbreaks in this military population.
- Gastroenteritis represented a substantial burden on military healthcare infrastructure.
- Targeted interventions for clinical staff may be necessary to mitigate future outbreaks.