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Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis at a U.S. military base: Republic of the Philippines
S F Paparello1, L S Rickman, H N Mesbahi
1Infectious Diseases Division, National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD 20814-5000.
Abstract:
Between August 1988 and January 1989, 2,603 cases of acute conjunctivitis occurred at Clark Air Base in the Philippines. Clinical features of the disease were consistent with epidemic keratoconjunctivitis. Adenovirus types 19 and 8, as well as enteroviruses, were isolated from conjunctival swabs. Approximately 18% of 9,167 active duty personnel were affected. In an attempt to contain the outbreak, active cases were isolated from the workplace, resulting in 9,038 personnel-days lost. Military preparedness was significantly impacted. A case-control study revealed multiple risk factors for acquisition of the disease.