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Updated: Aug 11, 2026

A High-throughput Platform for the Screening of Salmonella spp./Shigella spp.
Published on: November 7, 2018
Epidemic infectious gastrointestinal illness aboard U.S. Navy ships deployed to the Middle East during peacetime
Mark S Riddle1, Bonnie L Smoak, Scott A Thornton
1Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA. mriddle@usuhs.mil
Background:
Infectious gastrointestinal illness (IGI) outbreaks have been reported in U.S. Navy ships and could potentially have an adverse mission impact. Studies to date have been anecdotal.
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective analysis of weekly reported disease and non-battle injury health data collected in 2000-2001 from 44 U.S. Navy ships while sailing in the 5th Fleet (Persian Gulf and nearby seas).
Results:
During this period, 11 possible IGI outbreaks were identified. Overall, we found 3.3 outbreaks per 100 ship-weeks, a mean outbreak duration of 4.4 weeks, and a mean cumulative ship population attack rate of 3.6%. Morbidity, represented by days lost due to personnel being placed on sick-in-quarters status, was higher during outbreak weeks compared to non-outbreak weeks (p = 0.002). No clear seasonal distribution was identified.
Conclusion:
Explosive outbreaks due to viruses and bacteria with the potential of incapacitating large proportions of the crew raise serious concerns of mission impact and military readiness.
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