PREVENTIVE MEDICINE GUIDANCE FOR OPER DESERT SHIELD

File: 980404_jun96_sagwi1_0001.txt
Page: 0001
Total Pages: 7

Subject = PREVENTIVE MEDICINE GUIDANCE FOR OPER DESERT SHIELD

Box ID = BX001427

Folder Title = MISC MESSAGES

Unit = 24TH ID

Parent Org = XVIII CORPS

-DECLASSIFIED
ON: 13 MAR 98
: SEC ARMY (DAMH) UNDER SEC 3.4 EO 12958
PREVENTIR'@EDICINE GUI:DANCE FDR OPERATION DESERT SHIELD

The goal of Freventive Medicine (PM) is co ensure the fighting strength is not
compromised by medical problems that are preventable. Characteristically 80%
of hospital admission c6r,'AS conflicts such as Korea and Vietnam were due to
disease and non-battle injury. If the current situation turns into a conflict,
bedspece in hospitals will be needed for troops injured in combat. Preventing
disease and non-battle injuries, of course will maintain available bedspace
for those injuries resulting from combat. But most of all it will take that
worry away from Commanders so that all efforts can be concentrated on their
Fissions).

PM is a command responsibility. Company (and similiar size) Commanders are
responsible (AR 40-5) for appointing a unit Field Sanitation Team (one NCO and
one or more junior enlisted soldiers). Soldiers appointed as Field Sanitation
Team (EST) members should be top notch troops and should have a MOS which would
allow them to devote sufficient time to PST activities. Personnel whose MOS
requires full time operations (cooks, clerks, mechanics) should not be EST
members. EST training can be taught in 4-5 hours. Training can take place
in a central location or at the requesting unit's site.

The EST should be trained (and act as advisors to the commander) in the following
disciplines: Individual protective measures against insects (use of insecticides
and repellents, proper use of protective clothing and the use of clothing
impregnants) use and repair of insect screening and bednets, rodent control
measures, food service sanitation, unit waste disposal, unit and individual
water purification,water potability checks (chlorine residual only), personal
hygiene (FM 20-10;.

All 18th ABN CORPS units in this area that do not have organic EST support can
make arrangements with the 61st Med Det to have teams trained. Arrangements
for classes can be coordinated through the 18th CORPS TNC or by contacting the
6 1 st Med Det directly (Log Base Bravo co-located with 86th Evac llosp) . *- 7805 -.260

When problems exceed the capability of unit EST members, the 61st Med Det can
be contacted. PM services in the field include (1) Education of EST teams which
includes the specific diseases and environmental hazards in the area of operation
and protective measures to combat the threat (2) Monitoring ,
of food and water supplies, (3) Investigations of disease outbreaks epidemiology,
(4) Technical advise on the prevention and control of disease vectors (is. insects
and rodents), (5) PM oriented site selection surveys, (act as consultants to
unit commander), technical PM consultation concerning the selection . and 'aevef-o-pm'ent
of refugee and POW camps.

The following are answers to questions that units most frequently ask.

1. Site Selection. Many problems can be avoided by setting up camp with
PM guidance in mind. Please see the attached site selection information.

2. Plies. The Fly population will increase significantly in the coming
months. In addition to being a nuisance, flies can contaminate food resulting
in large numbers of troops getting diarrhea. Minimize breeding areas (is. open
food and access to garbage and hitman waste) and your unit will be well on the
way to controlling their fly problem.