Document Page: First | Prev | Next | All | Image | This Release | Search
File: 950825_0146pgv_90d.txt
Filename:0146pgv.90d
DEC 90
SUBJ: MEDICAL THREAT ASSESSMENT - NORTHERN IRAQ
1. SECTION I - INFECTIOUS DISEASE THREAT: INFECTIOUS DISEASES
ARE CATEGORIZED INTO HIGH, MODERATE, AND LOW RISK BASED ON
EXPECTED IMPACT ON SHORT DURATION× [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ]
MILITARY OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN IRAQ DURING THE JANUARY-FEBRUARY
TIME FRAME IF NO PREVENTIVE MEASURES ARE TAKEN. PRIORITIZATION
IS BASED ON SEASONAL PREVALENCE, INCUBATION PERIOD, AND
LIKELIHOOD OF EXPOSURE BASED ON THE' NATURE OF THE
MISSION. FOOD- AND WATERBORNE DISEASES ARE THE MOST
IMPORTANT - INFECTIOUS DISEASE THREATS, PARTICULARLY FOR
PERSONNEL OBTAINING
SUBSISTENCE ITEMS FROM LOCAL SOURCES. INCUBATION PERIODS AND
LOCAL NAMES FOR THE DISEASES ARE IN PARENTHESES.
2. (U) HIGH RISK DISEASES: THESE DISEASES ARE ENDEMIC AND
WIDESPREAD IN URBAN AND RURAL AREAS AND POSE A
SIGNIFICANT THREAT TO UNCONVENTIONAL FORCES.
A. (U) ACUTE DIARRHEAL DISEASES (6 HOURS TO JO DAYS;
ESCHAL) TRANSMISSION: INGESTION OF CAUSATIVE AGENTS OR THEIR
TOXINS IN CONTAMINATED FOOD OR WATER.
RISK PERIOD/DISTRIBUTION: OCCURS YEAR-ROUND, WITH
OVERALL RISK GREATEST FROM JULY THROUGH SEPTEMBER. RISK FROM
VIRAL ETIOLOGIES IS ELEVATED FROM DECEMBER THROUGH MARCH,
AND RISK FROM BACTERIAL ETIOLOGIES IS ELEVATED FROM JUNE
THROUGH OCTOBER. OCCURS COUNTRYWIDE;
RISK GREATER IN RURAL VILLAGE AREAS.
REMARKS: MODERATELY ENDEMIC. FREQUENTLY OCCURRING PATHOGENS
INCLUDE ENTEROTOXIGENIC ESCHERICHIA COLI (ETEC), ROTAVIRUS
(MOST COMMON IN CHILDREN), SHIGELLA SPP. , SALMONELLA
SPP. AND CAMPYLOBACTER SPP. SHIGELLOS IS, USUALLY CAUSED BY SH
IGELLA SONNE I OR S. FLEXNER I, IS COMMON. SALMONELLOSIS
INCREASINGLY IS BEING REPORTED. MULTIPLE DRUG
RESISTANCE IS LIKELY AMONG SALMONELLA AND SHIGELLA ISOLATES.
B. (U) ACUTE RESPIRATORY DISEASES (ARD) (1-10 DAYS;
INFLUANZA; NAZLAT BARD)
TRANSMISSION: DIRECT OR INDIRECT CONTACT WITH INFECTIOUS
DROPLETS.
RISK PERIOD/DISTRIBUTION: OCCURS YEAR-ROUND; INFLUENZA
CASES PEAK FROM DECEMBER THROUGH FEBRUARY; INCIDENCE OF
OTHER ETIOLOGIES INCREASES IN JULY AND AUGUST (RELATED TO
DUSTY ENVIRONMENT). OCCURS COUNTRYWIDE.
REMARKS: HIGHLY ENDEMIC. ARD CONSTITUTE A MAJOR CAUSE OF
MORBIDITY IN THE INDIGENOUS POPULATION AND COULD BECOME
A MAJOR SOURCE OF MORBIDITY AMONG MILITARY PERSONNEL.
OUTBREAKS OF INFLUENZA INVOLVING UP TO A MILLION CASES HAVE
OCCURRED. DURING THE LATE 1980's, ISOLATES OF INFLUENZA A(H3N2)
PREDOMINATED OVER THOSE OF A(HlN1) AND B.
C. (U) ENTERIC PROTOZOAL DISEASES (1 WEEK TO SEVERAL
MONTHS; AMIBI, GIARDIA) TRANSMISSION: INGESTION OF CAUSATIVE
AGENTS IN FECALLY CONTAMINATED WATER OR FOOD.
RISK PERIOD/DISTRIBUTION: YEAR-ROUND, WITH INCREASED
INCIDENCE IN - AUGUST TO SEPTEMBER. OCCURS COUNTRYWIDE.
REMARKS: USUALLY ASSOCIATED WITH MORE CHRONIC
INFECTIONS; SOME PROTOZOANS SUCH AS ENTAMOEBA
HISTOLYTICA, GIARDIA -LAMBLIA, AND CRYPTOSPORIDIUM SPP. CAN
CAUSE ACUTE DIARRHEA. MODERATELY ENDEMIC.
GIARDIASIS IS THE MOST COMMONLY DETECTED INTESTINAL
PARASITE AND USUALLY IS SEEN IN CHILDREN (INFECTION
RATES ESTIMATED AT 25-30 PERCENT). AMEBIASIS IS THE MOST
COMMON CAUSE OF CLINICAL DYSENTERY, WITH CARRIER RATES IN
APPARENTLY HEALTHY ADULTS EXCEEDING 25 PERCENT (INCLUDING HIGHER
SOCIOECONOMIC GROUPS IN URBAN AREAS).
D. (U) TYPHOID AND PARATYPHOID FEVERS (1-3 WEEKS;
AL-TYPHODIA) TRANSMISSION: INGESTION OF CAUSATIVE AGENT
IN FOOD AND WATER CONTAMINATED BY FECES OR URINE `OF INFECTIVE
HUMANS.
RISK PERIOD/DISTRIBUTION: OCCURS YEAR-ROUND, WITH INCREASED
INCIDENCE FROM JUNE TO AUGUST. OCCURS COUNTRYWIDE.
REMARKS: MODERATELY ENDEMIC. THE CARRIER RATE LIKELY IS
HIGH, BUT DATA ARE NOT AVAILABLE. A LOW LEVEL OF MULTIPLE
DRUG RESISTANCE HAS - BEEN REPORTED. MAY BE A
SIGNIFICANT SOURCE OF MORBIDITY AMONG
NONINDIGENOUS PERSONNEL.
E. (U) MENINGOCOCCAL MENINGITIS (2-10 DAYS, USUALLY 3 TO
4 DAYS; ELTIHAB AL-SAHAYA)
TRANSMISSION: DIRECT CONTACT, INCLUDING DROPLETS AND
DISCHARGES FROM NOSES AND THROATS OF INFECTED PERSONS.
RISK PERIOD/DISTRIBUTION: CASES OCCUR YEAR-ROUND, WITH PEAK
INCIDENCE FROM NOVEMBER THROUGH FEBRUARY. OCCURS COUNTRYWIDE,
WITH INCREASED RISK FROM CLOSE CONTACT WITH THE LOCAL
POPULATION, PARTICULARLY CHILDREN AND LOWER SOCIOECONOMIC GROUPS.
REMARKS: ENDEMIC, BUT CYCLIC. USUALLY OCCURS AS SPORADiC
CASES, BUT WITH EPIDEMICS EVERY 8 TO 12 YEARS.
SERO-GROUP A USUALLY PREDOMINATES, BUT AN UNCONFIRMED OUTBREAK
ATTRIBUTED TO GROUP WI 35 OCCURRED IN BASRAH IN 1989. MOST
CASES OCCUR IN CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS, WITH AN OVERALL CASE
FATALITY RATE BETWEEN 10 AND 25 PERCENT.
F. (U) ENTERICALLY TRANSMITTED VIRAL HEPATITIS (15-60
DAYS; ELTIHAB AL-KABED)
TRANSMISSION: PERSON TO PERSON BY THE FECAL-ORAL ROUTE.
RISK PERIOD/DISTRIBUTION: YEAR-ROUND, WITH INCIDENCE'
INCREASED FROM OCTOBER THROUGH DECEMBER. OCCURS COUNTRYWIDE.
- REMARKS: HEPATITIS A (HAV) IS HIGHLY ENDEMIC AND MAY
POSE A MAJOR HEALTH HAZARD TO NONINDIGENOUS `PERSONNEL; NEARLY
ALL CHILDREN ARE SEROPOSITIVE FOR HAV BY AGE 5.
HEPATITIS E (HEV) HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED, BUT IS PROBABLY
PRESENT.
3. (U) MODERATE RISK DISEASES: THESE DISEASES GENERALLY
ARE MINOR RISKS TO MILITARY PERSONNEL UNDER NORMAL
CIRCUMSTANCES, BUT ARE AN INCREASED THREAT TO UNCONVENTIONAL
FORCES.
A. (U) BRUCELLOSIS (5-60 DAYS, COMMONLY 1 TO
2. MONTHS; AL-BROSLIYAT)
TRANSMISSION/RESERVOIR: OVER 80 PERCENT OF REPORTED HUMAN
CASES ARE DUE TO CONSUMPTION OF RAW DAIRY PRODUCTS (GOAT
AND CAMEL MILK AND CHEESES). CONTACT WITH INFECTED MATERIAL
PLAYS A MINOR ROLE. IN HUMAN CASES NOT ASSOCIATED WITH DIRECT
ANIMAL OR PRODUCT EXPOSURE, MOST APPEAR TO HAVE
CONTRACTED THE DISEASE WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH AREAS
CONTAMINATED WITH ANIMAL FETAL TISSUES. THE DISEASE IS
ENDEMIC IN NATURAL RESERVOIRS (GOATS, SHEEP, CAMELS,
AND CATTLE), WHICH
-PRINCIPALLY ARE INFECTED WITH BRUCELLA MELITENSIS. THE
PREVALENCE OF INFECTION OF SHEEP AND GOATS COMMONLY EXCEEDS
10 PERCENT.
B. ABORTUS MAY BE PRESENT IN CATTLE AND CAMELS, BUT
THE CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE IS PROBABLY LOW.
DISTRIBUTION/RISK PERIOD: WIDESPREAD, BUT REGIONAL VARIATIONS
EXIST. HUMAN CASES CAUSED BY B. MELITENSIS ARE WIDELY
DISTRIBUTED, IN BOTH RURAL AND URBAN AREAS. SEASONALLY
DISTRIBUTED, WITH MOST CASES OCCURRING MARCH TO JULY,
PEAKING IN APRIL AND MAY. PEAK INCIDENCE OF CASES
ASSOCIATED WITH ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE COINCIDES WITH THE
- LAMBING AND KIDDING SEASONS.
REMARKS: ONE OF THE COMMONEST HUMAN INFECTIOUS DISEASES
IN THE REGION; PARTICULARLY COMMON AMONG FARMERS,
SHEPHERDS, NOMADIC TRIBESMEN, AND THEIR FAMILIES (10 TO 25
PERCENT SEROPREVALENCE HAS BEEN DETECTED IN AGRICULTURAL
WORKERS). BRUCELLOS IS HAS REACHED EPIDEMIC PROPORTIONS IN
SOME PARTS OF THE COUNTRY (PRESUMABLY RURAL AREAS). FOR
EACH CASE REPORTED, AN ESTIMATED 25 CASES ARE
UNRECOGNIZED OR UNREPORTED.
B. (U) Q FEVER (USUALLY 2 TO 3 WEEKS)
TRANSMISSION/RESERVOIR: COMMONLY TRANSMITTED BY AIRBORNE
DISSEMINATION OF R ICKETTS IA (COX I ELLA BURNET I I) AND
SECONDARILY BY- DIRECT CONTACT WITH INFECTED ANIMALS AND FROM
CONSUMPTION OF RAW MILK; IXODES AND ARGASID TICKS ARE
CAPABLE OF TRANSMITTING THE DISEASE, BUT PROBABLY ARE ONLY
OF SECONDARY IMPORTANCE. DOMESTIC ANIMALS,, RODENTS, AND
TICKS (PRIMARILY HYALOMMA DROMEDAR I I) SERVE AS NATURAL
RESERVOIRS.
DISTRIBUTION/RISK PERIOD: WIDELY DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE
REGION; SEROLOGICAL STUDIES SUGGEST THAT IT MAY BE
HIGHLY ENDEMIC, PARTICULARLY IN RURAL AREAS. ENZOOTIC IN
LIVESTOCK. YEAR-ROUND. REMARKS: SPORADIC CASES HAVE BEEN
REPORTED AREAWIDE, BUT INCIDENCE IS SUSPECTED TO BE GREATER
THAN REPORTED DUE TO LIMITED DIAGNOSTIC CAPABILITIES.
APPARENTLY, IN RURAL AREAS, SUBCLINICAL INFECTION
DEVELOPS IN CHILDHOOD, AND VIRTUALLY ALL YOUNG ADULTS
HAVE HAD SENSITIZING CONTACT (INDUCING ACQUIRED IMMUNITY).
C. (U) TYPHUS, LOUSE-BORNE (1 TO 2 WEEKS, COMMONLY 12
DAYS; AL- TYPHOOS)
TRANSMISSION/RESERVOIR: BY RUBBING CRUSHED BODY LICE
(PEDICULUS HUMANUS) OR THEIR FECES INTO THE BITE SITE
OR ABRASIONS; LICE DEFECATE R ICKETTS lAE (R ICKETTS IA PROWAZEK
I) WHILE FEEDING. MAN IS THE RESERVOIR AND MAINTAINS THE
INFECTION DURING INTER-EPIDEMIC PERIODS.
DISTRIBUTION/RISK PERIOD: ENDEMIC FOCI ARE PRESENT IN
IRAQ, BUT PREVALENCE IS UNKNOWN. SEASONAL, USUALLY MORE
PREVALENT IN COLDER MONTHS.
REMARKS: LOUSE-BORNE TYPHUS IS COMMONLY ASSOCIATED
WITH OVER- CROWDING, TRANSIENT POPULATIONS, IMPOVERISHED
PEOPLE, AND POOR SANITARY CONDITIONS; REFUGEE POPULATIONS
WOULD BE AT INCREASED RISK.
D. (U) PLAGUE (2 TO 6 DAYS; TAA'ON)
TRANSMISSION/RESERVOIR: PRIMARILY TRANSMITTED BY THE
BITE OF AN INFECTIVE FLEA (PRIMARILY XENOPSYLLA CHEOPIS, THE
ORIENTAL RAT FLEA, BUT ALSO PULEX I RR I TANS, THE HUMAN
FLEA). RESERVOIRS FOR SYLVAT IC PLAGUE IN THE REGION
INCLUDE GERBILS (MERIONES SPP. AND GERBILLUS
SPP.) AND DESERT VOLES. RATTUS RATTUS MAY SERVE AS A RESERVOIR
AROUND DWELLINGS IN ENDEMIC AREAS.
DISTRIBUTION/RISK PERIOD: OCCURS AREAWIDE. NATURALLY
OCCURRING ENZOOTIC FOCI OF PLAGUE HISTORICALLY HAVE EXISTED
BETWEEN THE TIGRIS AND EUPHRATES RIVERS AND ADJACENT TERRITORIES
EXTENDING FROM SYRIA TO THE PERSIAN GULF. THE HIGHLANDS NEAR
THE BORDER WITH SYRIA HISTORICALLY HAVE BEEN AN
ENZOOTIC FOCUS. YEAR-ROUND, BUT ESPECIALLY DURING HOT, DRY
MONTHS.
REMARKS: UNDERREPORTED.
4. (U) LOW RISK DISEASES: THESE ENDEMIC DISEASES ARE
CONSIDERED A LOW RISK; HOWEVER, EACH DISEASE MAY BE MORE
SIGNIFICANT DURING A DIFFERENT TIME OF YEAR OR UNDER A
DIFFERENT SET OF MISSION CIRCUMSTANCES (LONGER DURATION OR
HUMANITARIAN MEDICAL ASSISTANCE). THE DISEASES ARE LISTED BY THE
PRIMARY REASON FOR INCLUSION IN THIS CATEGORY.
A. (U) SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION (PREVALENCE LOW OR
TRANSMISSION DOES NOT OCCUR): MALARIA; ARBOVIRAL FEVERS
(SANDFLY, CRIMEAN-CONGO HEMORRHAGlC, WEST NILE, SINDBIS,
AND DENGUE); LElSHMANIASIS; SCHISTOSOMIASIS; LEPTOSPIROSIS;
ANTHRAX; CHOLERA.
B. (U) NATURE OF THE MISSION (LOW RISK OF CONTACT OR
MINOR CLINICAL IMPACT): PARENTERALLY TRANSMITTED VIRAL HEPATITIS
(HEPATITIS B, C, AND D); MURINE TYPHUS; INTESTINAL
HELMINTHS; SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES (INCLUDING AIDS/HIV);
TRACHOMA.
C. (U) LONG INCUBATION PERIOD: RABIES (HOWEVER,
DOG/ANIMAL BITES MAY CAUSE PHYSICAL TRAUMA); ECHINOCOCCOSIS;
TUBERCULOSIS.
5. SECTION I I - ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS IN NORTHERN IRAQ.
6. (U) TOPOGRAPHY
A. (U) THE TOPOGRAPHY OF THE NORTH AND NORTHEAST IS
DOMINATED BY RUGGED HILLS AND SERRATED MOUNTAIN SUMMITS RISING
TO 3,600 METERS. GROUND MOVEMENT IN THIS REGION WOULD BE
RESTRICTED BY THE LIMITED NUMBER OF FINISHED ROADWAYS AND
LANDSLIDES DUE TO SPORADIC SEISMIC ACTIVITIES. EARTHQUAKES IN
THE NORTHEAST MOUNTAINS ARE NOT COMMON, HOWEVER, IT SHOULD BE
NOTED THAT A DEVASTING EARTHQUAKE OCCURRED IN THE NEARBY
NORTHWESTERN PROVINCE OF IRAN ON 20 JUNE 1990.
B. (U) IN THE WEST, VAST DESERTS PREDOMINATE AND WADS,
SOME UP TO 400 KILOMETERS LONG, ARE NUMEROUS. DURING THE
WINTER RAINS, TORRENTIAL WATER FLOWS IN THE WAD IS
SHOULD BE AN IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION FOR PERSONNEL TRAVERSING
OR BIVOUACKING IN THIS REGION.
C. (U) CENTRALLY, BETWEEN THE TIGRIS AND EUPHRATES,
MAJOR LAND FEATURES VARY AND INCLUDE DESERT, DEEPLY CUT
RIVER VALLEYS, AND CLIFFS (IRAQ IS AN ARABIC WORD FOR CLIFF).
THE RUDDEDNESS OF TERRAIN WOULD IMPEDE MOST CROSS COUNTRY
VEHICULAR MOVEMENT.
D. (U) THE BETTER TRANSPORTATION ROUTES IN NORTHERN
IRAQ, AS IN THE REMAINDER OF THE COUNTRY', ARE
CONCENTRATED IN THE AREAS SURROUNDING' THE TIGRIS AND
EUPHRATES RIVERS. WATER NAVIGATION ALONG THE NORTHERN PORTION OF
THE TWO RIVERS WOULD BE COMPLICATED BY RAPID WATER CURRENT,
ESPECIALLY DURING THE RAINY SEASON.
7. (U) CLIMATE
A. (U) WINTERS IN THE NORTH ARE COOL TO COLD AND
MODERATELY CLOUDY WITH CONSIDERABLE PRECIPITATION. WINTER
LOWS AVERAGE -6 DEGREES CELSIUS IN THE WESTERN DESERT AND
NORTHERN PLAINS AND BETWEEN -7 AND -12 DEGREES IN THE
MOUNTAINOUS REGION (AT HIGHER ELEVATIONS
TEMPERATURES BELOW -20 DEGREES CELSIUS ARE NOT UNCOMMON).
COMMON EXPOSURE RELATED INJURIES CAN BE AVOIDED THROUGH
THE USE OF APPROPR lATE COLD WEATHER HYGIENE (I . E.
LAYERING OF CLOTHES, CLEAN UNDERCLOTHING AND SOCKS, AND CHANGE
OF SHOES AND SOCKS TO AVOID IMMERSION FOOT TYPE
INJURIES). BECAUSE OF THE RELATIVELY MILD
WINTERS, THE MORE SERIOUS THREAT OF COLD INJURIES IS MORE
ALTITUDE - DEPENDENT; PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN WINTER MOUNTAIN
OPERATIONS SHOULD, THEREFORE, BE PREPARED FOR THE RISKS OF WIND
CHILL INJURIES DUE TO HIGH WINDS, FROSTBITE, AVALANCHES,
BLIZZARDS AND SNOW BLINDNESS. THE WARM FOEHN WINDS THAT BLOW
OVER THE PLAINS OF NORTHERN IRAQ DURING THE WINTER ARE
PARTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ABSENCE OF SEVERELY COLD WEATHER
IN IRAQ.
B. (U) MIGRATORY LOW PRESSURE SYSTEMS AFFECT IRAQ AND
ARE MORE FREQUENT IN NOVEMBER AND APRIL THAN THE OTHER
WINTER MONTHS. ONE FEATURE OF THE MIGRATORY SYSTEMS IN
THE DESERT REGIONS IS THE PRODUCTION OF SAND AND DUST STORMS
BY THE ACCOMPANYING WINDS SWEEPING OVER DRY, LOOSELY PACKED
SURFACES.
C. (U) SUMMERS IN THE NORTHEAST ARE GENERALLY WARM,
CLEAR, AND DRY WITH HIGHS IN BETWEEN 16 DEGREES AND 27 DEGREES
CELSIUS. DAYTIME HIGHS APPROACHING 43 AND HIGHER ARE NOT
UNCOMMON IN THE REMAINDER OF THE COUNTRY.
D. (U) REPRESENTATIVE ANNUAL AVERAGE TEMPERATURES FOR
SELECTED AIRFIELDS ARE DEPICTED BELOW (TEMPERATURES ARE IN
CELSIUS). MOSUL AIRFIELD (361827N/0430858E)
J F M A M J J A S 0 N
"D
7 9 12 17 23 29 32 32 27 21 15
9
- MAXIMUM SUMMER HIGHS APPROACH 43 DEGREES IN AUGUST
MAXIMUM WINTER LOWS APPROACH 2 DEGREES IN JANUARY
KIRKUK AIRFIELD (352819N0442108E)
8 10 13 19 26 32 33 34 30 24 17
11
MAXIMUM SUMMER HIGHS APPROACH 43 DEGREES IN JULY
MAXIMUM WINTER LOWS APPROACH 4 DEGREES IN JANUARY
BAGHDAD/MUTHENNA AIRFIELD (331944N0442158E)
9 12 15 22 28 32 34 34 31 24 18
12
MAXIMUM SUMMER HIGHS APPROACH 43 DEGREES IN JULY AND AUGUST
MAXIMUM WINTER LOWS APPROACH 4 DEGREES IN JANUARY
E. (U) NINETY PERCENT OF THE ANNUAL RAINFALL OCCURS
BETWEEN NOVEMBER AND APRIL. ANNUAL PRECIPITATION IN THE
NORTHEAST IS BETWEEN 3O AND 45 CM AND MAY TAKE THE FORM OF
TORRENTIAL RAINS. STANDING - WATER IN AREAS OF HEAVY RAINFALL
CONTRIBUTES TO EXCESSIVE HUMIDITY.
8. (U) WATER
A. FRESH WATER IS PERENNIALLY AVAILABLE FROM THE
TIGRIS AND EUPHRATES RIVERS WHICH RUN IN A SOUTHEASTERLY
DIRECTION FROM NORTHERN IRAQ TO THE PERSIAN GULF. THE
NORTHERN PORTIONS OF THE RIVERS ARE GENERALLY LESS BRACKISH
THAN THE SOUTHERN PORTIONS. FLOODING ALONG THE TIGRIS AND
EUPHRATES IS COMMON DURING THE WINTER RAINY SEASONS.
B. NORTHEASTERN STREAMS OFFER MEAGER TO SMALL
QUANTITIES OF FRESH WATER BETWEEN LATE NOVEMBER AND JUNE, AND
MEAGER TO NONE THE REST OF THE YEAR. BRACKISHNESS OF THE
WATER INCREASES AS THE WATER `LEVEL DECREASES.
C. IN THE WEST, FRESH WATER IS TRANSIENTLY
AVAILABLE ONLY AFTER INFREQUENT RAINS.
D. ALL FRESH WATER SOURCES IN IRAQ ARE SUBJECT TO
BIOLOGICAL CONTAMINATION FROM MAN AND ANIMAL WASTE AND
CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION FROM PESTICIDES AND FERTILIZERS. ALL
SURFACE WATER SHOULD, THEREFORE, BE TREATED AND/OR TESTED PRIOR
TO CONSUMPTION.
9. (U) VENOMOUS ANIMALS (GENERAL): THE VENOM OF MANY
SNAKES AND INVERTEBRATES (BUGS AND SPIDERS) IS CYTOTOXIC,
WHICH' MEANS THE VENOM HAS×A SPECIFIC POISONOUS EFFECT ON
SPECIAL CELLS IN THE BODY. THE MOST COMMON CELLS AFFECTED ARE
BLOOD CELLS AND NERVE CELLS. HEMOTOXIN VENOM ATTACKS BLOOD CELLS
MAY CAUSE UNSTOPPABLE BLEEDING. NEUROTOXIC VENOM ATTACKS
NERVE CELLS. NEUROTOXIN MAY AFFECT BOTH NERVES AND MUSCLES,
CAUSING CONVULSIONS, SEVERE PAIN (POSSIBLY NO PAIN AT ALL),
AND/OR `MUSCLE SPASMS OR PARALYSIS (INVOLVEMENT OF LUNG
MUSCLES CAN STOP BREATHING).
10. (U) SNAKES: SOME NORMALLY NOCTURNAL SNAKES IN WESTERN
DESERT, MAY BE MORE ACTIVE DURING WINTER DAYLIGHT HOURS.
A. (U) PUFF ADDER (BITIS ARIETANS) -
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MAJORITY OF SERIOUS BITES AND DEATHS TO
MAN AND DOMESTIC ANIMALS. COMMON THROUGHOUT THE REGION;
PREVALENT IN THE SHORT GRASSLANDS WITH FEW SCATTERED TREES.
ITS BODY COLOR USUALLY IS ADAPTED TO ITS ENVIRONMENT,
BUT CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY DARK CHEVRONS POINTING TOWARDS ITS
TAIL. A HEAVY AND THICK BODIED SNAKE WITH AN AVERAGE LENGTH OF .8
TO 1.3 METERS. VENOM IS HEMOTOXIN.
B. (U) SAW-SCALED VI PER (ECHIS COLORATUS/CARINATUS) -
ONE OF THE - MOST DANGEROUS SNAKES IN THE WORLD. WIDELY
DISTRIBUTED IN THE WESTERN DESERT AND ROCKY HIGHLANDS OF
THE EAST AND NORTHERN PART OF THE COUNTRY. OCCUPIES RODENT
BURROWS AND SCRUB FORESTS. MAY CLIMB INTO BUSHES TO
ESCAPE FLOODING FROM RAINS. ONE SPECIES IS REPORTED IN
VARIOUS DARK SHADES OF GRAY, BLUE, OR SILVER, DAPPLED WITH
LIGHTER SPOTS AND HAS A WHITE UNDERSIDE; HEAD IS BELL
SHAPED. A RELATED SPECIES IS REDDISH BROWN WITH WHITE BARS
ON ITS BACK, A YELLOWISH
COLORED BELLY, AND AN EGG SHAPED AND SPECKLED HEAD WITH A
TRIDENT POINTING TO THE REAR. AVERAGE LENGTH, .4 TO .6 METERS.
CHARACTERIZED BY A DISTINCTIVE SIDEWINDING MOVEMENT AND
RAPID DIGGING INTO THE SAND. WHEN CONFRONTED ASSUMES A FIGURE
8 AND SCRAPES THE SCALES OF ADJACENT COILS TOGETHER TO
PRODUCE A LOUD GRATING, HISSING NOISE.
VENOM IS BOTH NEUROTOXIC AND HEMOTOXIN.
C. (U) FIELDS HORNED VI PER (PSEUDOCERASTES Fl EDLDI I) -
FOUND IN WESTERN PART OF THE COUNTRY, IN AREAS OF
SANDY ROCK. SNAKE IS DARK/GRAYISH IN COLOR WITH A SERIES OF
DARK BARS ALONG ITS BACK, ONE- HALF INCH HORNS ABOVE THE EYES,
AND A DISTINCTIVE TRIANGULAR HEAD. AVERAGE ADULT LENGTH,
0.6 TO .7 METERS. VENOM IS PRIMARILY
NEUROTOXIC.
D. (U) FALSE HORNED (PSEUDOCERASTES PERSICUS
PERSICUS) - FOUND IN THE SANDY AND ROCKY REGIONS IN THE
WESTERN PART OF THE COUNTRY. AVERAGE LENGTH, .9 METERS. VENOM
IS PRIMARILY NEUROTOXIC.
E. (U) BLUNT-NOSED/LEVANTINE VI PER (VIPERA LEBETINA
EUPHRATICA) - THE MAJOR CAUSE OF SNAKEBITE THROUGH THE REGION,
BUT THE FATALITY RATE IS LOWER THAN IN BITES BY SAW-SCALED
VIPERS. FOUND THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY; OBSERVED INHABITING
BARREN, ROCKY AREAS IN THE NORTH UP TO ALTITUDES OF 2, 100
METERS AND AT LOWER ALTITUDES IN THE WEST AND SOUTH. AVERAGE
LENGTH .8 TO 1 .2 METERS. VENOM IS PRIMARILY HEMOTOXIN.
11. (U) INVERTEBRATES
A. (U) CENT I PEDES (SCOLOPENDRA SPP.) - HIDES IN
LITTER, UNDER LOOSE BARK, STONES, LEAVES, AND DEBRIS IN THE
DAYTIME. BITES ARE PAINFUL AND MAY CAUSE VOMITING,
HEADACHE, AND SWELLING. FATALITIES ARE RARE AND USUALLY OCCUR
AMONG CHILDREN.
B. (U) SCORPIONS (ANDROCTONUS CRASSICAUDA) - LIVES
IN DRYER AREAS AND HUNT INSECTS AT NIGHT. THE ANDROCTONUS
CRASSICAUDA IS A LARGE SCORPION, HEAVY-BODIED, WITH SLENDER
PINCERS AND THICK, ROBUST - TAIL, APPROXIMATELY 120-140MM IN
LENGTH, AND DARK BROWN TO BLACK IN COLOR. THE LE]URUS
QUINQUESTRIATUS IS A SMALLER, THINNER SCORPION, BROWN TO
LIGHT YELLOW COLORATION, VERY SLENDER PINCERS WITH LONG
FINGERS, THIN TAIL WITH SHARPLY CURVED STINGER, 80-90 MM IN
LENGTH. MOST SCORPION STINGS ARE NOT DANGEROUS, HOWEVER,
POTENTIAL DANGER EXISTS WHERE DUGOUTS, BUNKERS, OR OTHER
SUBTERRANEAN OR TERRANEAN SHELTERS HAVE BEEN ABANDONED,
SINCE SCORPIONS WILL TAKE UP RESIDENCE IN THEM IN LARGE
NUMBERS.
C. (U) BLACK WIDOW SPIDERS (LATRODECTUS SPP.)
IS WIDELY - DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT WARM RURAL REGIONS,
ESPECIALLY OPEN FIELDS. IT IS OFTEN FOUND UNDER STONES,
NEAR OUT-HOUSES, HOUSES, TRASH, AND DUMPS. THE VENOM IS
NEUROTOXIC.
[ (b)(6) ]
Document Page: First | Prev | Next | All | Image | This Release | Search