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File: 120596_aacza_05.txt
Page: 05
Total Pages: 17

 ards there too. By far, the best feeding facilities we evaluated were those
 of contractors supplying meals for international airline flights. These
 facilities should be given priority when searching for sources of contract
 meals.-

 	 (5) Insects and Animals: There was no significant health threat from
 insect vectored diseases. The host nation clinic also reported no problems in
 the area.  Host nation preventive medicine personnel provided intermittent
 insect spraying on base. Several stray cats and stray dogs were observed on
 base. Elimination of these proved difficult. There is no known risk of
 rabies in the country.

 	 (6) Poisonous Fish and Animals: Although reported as a potential
 threat in the region, poisonous snakes were not encountered. Polyvalent
 antivenom for snakes in the region was obtained through host nation military
 sources, but not used. Several scorpions were captured, but no stings were
 reported.
 .
 	 (7) Food and Dairy Products: Almost all food was imported into the
 country from other countries. Dairy products were processed according to
 European specifications. These plants, for the most part, did not meet Ameri-
 can specifications. A UHT milk plant was approved in country, but there were
 no approved sources for fresh milk.

 	 (8) Veterinary Service Impact Statement: Army veterinarians fre-
 quently visited to inspect food sources and to develop a list of approved
 sources. All our dealings with them were very professional and cordial.
 Animal care was not required as we had no military working dogs on base.

 	 (9) Preventive Medicine Input: A food and food facility inspection
 program was operated by both the civilian government and the military medical
 service. After evaluating food facilities which had been passed and accompa-
 nying a military health inspector on sanitation evaluations, we doubt the
 effectiveness of these programs.

 b. Prevalent Diseases: One outbreak of diarrhea was encountered.
 Approximately 1000 personnel were affected with about 300 seeking medical
 care. Symptoms were self-limiting in most cases. Laboratory diagnosis was
 limited, but we suspected the etiology to be traveler's diarrhea. The source
 was suspected to be contaminated ice. No other unusual disease outbreaks were
 noted.

 c. Preventive Medicine Measures: Normal precautions against heat-related
 disease such as work/rest cycles, adequate water intake, sunscreen, etc, were
 necessary in the hot summer months. Sand goggles were necessary in the months
 of Jan-Mar as high winds blew loose sand. Other precautions against foodborne
 illness such as adequate handwashing, avoiding street vendors, chlorine soaks
 for fresh produce, fly control, etc, were important to prevent foodborne
 illnesses. Use of bottled drinking water prevented waterborne disease out-
 breaks.

 d. Specific "Do's and Don'ts": N/A.

 e. Medical Facilities: Host nation medical facilities were placed at our
 disposal.

 	 (1) The base had an outpatient clinic with lab, x-ray, dental, and
 pharmacy capability staffed by 7 physicians and 16 technicians.

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