Medical Surveillance Monthly Report (MSMR). Volume , Number 4, July 1995
Abstract
During June 1995, the senior medical officer for one of the United Nations (UN) battalions in Haiti called the Force Surgeon's office to report a fourfold increase in the rate of diarrhea over the previous two weeks. The Force Surgeon formed a five person preventive medicine (PM) team consisting of an infectious disease officer, a preventive medicine officer, an environmental science officer, and two preventive medicine technicians. The PM team's objective was to visit the site, conduct clinical, epidemiological, and environmental (water, food preparation, etc.) evaluations, and make recommendations to correct identified problems. Although based in the same general vicinity, the battalion (n=850) experiencing the outbreak of diarrhea was located on one side of an airstrip while two smaller UN contingents (n=100, n=120) were located on the other side. Interviews were conducted with the senior medical officers for each of three contingents. The battalion had been in Haiti for three months during which they had observed 26 (3.0%) cases the first month, 13 (1.5%) cases the second month, and 80 (9.4%) cases the third month. Of the 80 cases identified during the third month, 68 (85%) had occurred during the preceding two weeks. In contrast to the battalion, the two smaller contingents had continued to observe only a sporadic and low proportion of sick call visits with a chief complaint of diarrhea. All three contingents were using potable bulk water provided by contractor. However, only the two smaller contingents were using bottled water that had been tested and approved for use.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA499338
Entities
People
- Bruce H. Jones
- John Brundage
- Mark V Rubertone
- Sharon L. Ludwig
- Vincent P. Fonseca
Organizations
- Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center