Medical Surveillance Monthly Report (MSMR). Volume 7, Number 7, August 2001
Abstract
Each year in the United States, approximately 300 people are struck by lightning; and of these, approximately 100 die of their injuries (mortality rate approximately 30%). In nonmilitary populations and settings, lightning injuries occur most often in the summer among people who are outdoors during afternoon and early evening hours. Activities commonly associated with lightning injuries include waiting under trees, camping, jogging, participating in water sports, golfing, working around farm or construction equipment, and using telephones. In approximately one-third of lightning injury incidents, there are two or more victims. Episodes of multiple casualties from single lightning strikes provide insights into the nature and scope of the risk in military settings. On 17 July 2001, 31 soldiers were injured by a single lightning strike. The injured soldiers were members of a dental reserve unit from Tennessee and a signal battalion from Fort Gordon, Georgia. Injuries included abnormal cardiac rhythms, tingling and numbness of arms and legs, and possible tissue damage. A television that was plugged into a generator was considered a contributing factor. On 31 May 2001, four soldiers were injured, one critically, when they were struck by lightning at Fort Carson, Colorado. The strike occurred at mid-afternoon among soldiers who were caught in a hailstorm while training. Military members work, train, conduct operations, and recreate outdoors-year round and in all weather conditions. In turn, they often confront thunderstorms and lightning. This report documents frequencies, rates, trends, and correlates of risk of lightning-related injuries of US servicemembers during a 3-year surveillance period.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA496684
Entities
Organizations
- Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center