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File: 970207_aadcs_001.txtDEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES AIR fORCE WASHINGTON D.C. 20332-6188 18 NOV 1991 . REPLY TO SGP ATTN OF: SUBJECT: Viscerotropic Leishmaniasis in Military Personnel Returning from Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm To: HQ ATC/SG HQ AL/SO HQ AFLC/SG HQ AFSC/SG HQ MAC/SO HQ SAC/SO HQ TAC/SG HQ USAFE/SG HQ USAFA/SG HQ PACAF/SG HQ AFRES/SG NGB/SG HQ AFIA/SG HQ AFSPACECOM/SG DeCA/DOC HQ ESC/SG 1. Seven soldiers returning from Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm were admitted to Walter Reed Army Medical Center between Nov 90 and Oct 91 for fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. The mild illness resulted from infection with the parasite Leishmania tropica, which is transmitted by the bite of a sandfly. This specific parasite normally causes skin lesions only. so this is a previously unrecognized disease and very little is known. 2. Leishmaniasis can potentially be transmitted by blood transfusions, although the risk is felt to be extremely small. The Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) has directed that all military personnel returning from Southwest Asia since 1 Aug 90 be temporarily deferred from donating blood. This deferral may dramatically reduce the amount of blood available and could impact surgery if additional donors are not located. 3. An information paper informing clinicians of potential Leishmaniasis infection in military personnel returning from the Middle East is provided at Attachment 1. A copy of this information paper should be forwarded to all providers currently practicing in Air Force medical treatment facilities. 4. Our points of contact are [(b)(2)] Bolling AFB,DC 20332-6188. [(b)(6)] PAUL D. GLEASON, Brig Gen, USAF, MC 1 Atch Director, Professional Affairs Information Paper and Quality Assurance Office of the Surgeon General cc: HSD/CC HQ USEUCOM/ECMD
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