MTG OF AD HOC WORKING GRP FOR MED DEF AGAINST BIOL WARFARE

File: 120396_sep96_decls91_0002.txt
Page: 0002
Total Pages: 5

Subject: MTG OF AD HOC WORKING GRP FOR MED DEF AGAINST BIOL WARFARE      

Unit: OTSG        

Parent Organization: HSC         

Box ID: BX003203

Folder Title: AAR  MEETING OF THE AD HOC WORKING GROUP  BIOLOGICAL                                            

Document Number:          1

Folder SEQ  #:        207





                                                    UNCLASSIFIED

           its use is obtained. They will brief theater medical personnel
           on the vaccine and oversee the vaccination program.

               e.       At the request of The Surgeon General, Department
           of the Army, the Disease Control Subcommittee of the Army
           Forces Epidemiology Board met on 29 August 1990. Based upon
           the information presented to the committee, the board
           recommended the use of anthrax immunization to Operation Desert
           Shield Forces, botulinum toxoid immunization of selected
           Operation Desert Shield Forces, and continuing medical
           education and training for medical personnel assigned to
           Operation Desert Shield (Encl 3).

               f.       Discussion of Unresolved Issues from 20 Aug 90
           meeting.

                   (1) (U) Placement of a Special Laboratory to Make
           Accurate and Timely Diagnosis of Endemic and BW Threat Diseases
           - Placement of a laboratory as close to the AO as possible.
           Short-term fix may be supplementing the resources of the 10th
           Medical Laboratory:   USAMRDC will place one team consisting of
           2 or 3 individuals and equipment at the 10th Medical Laboratory
           and another at an in-country location. These teams will have
           the responsibility to provide rapid diagnostic capabilities for
           the identification of both endemic disease and those caused by
           BW agents. In addition, they will train on-site personnel.
           The Navy will also supplement the staff at their Cairo facility
           and establish a second diagnostic facility in-theater.

                   (2) (U) Efficacy of Pre-Exposure and Post-Exposure
           Antibiotic/Antitoxin - Challenge studies performed at USAMRIID
           to address this issue: Currently, the Ad Hoc Co=ittee's
           recommendation is that if BW exposure is imminent,
         units/individuals should begin chemoprophylaxis with
           doxycycline (100 mg po bid) or ciprofloxacin (500 mg po bid)
           for at least 4 weeks. If an individual has not received the
           anthrax vaccine, a 0.5 ml dose of vaccine should be given
           subcutaneously. In addition, two 0.5 ml doses of vaccine
           should be given 2 weeks apart following the first dose. Those
           previously vaccinated with fewer than 3 doses should receive a
           single 0.5 ml booster, while vaccination probably is not
           necessary for those who have received the entire 3-dose primary
           series. Prophylaxis alone given post-exposure seems to have
           little benefit. USAMRIID is conducting challenge studies to
           address this issue.

                   (3) (U) Jet Injector - can the Jet Injector be used
           to administer the Anthrax Vaccine: USAMRDC stated the jet
           injector could not be used to administer the anthrax vaccine.

                   (4) (U) Guidance for BW Countermeasures - The
           preparation of written guidance to the field on various issues
           associated with the medical aspects of BW: The Internal
           Medicine Consultant, the Infectious Disease Consultant, the
           Disease Control Consultant, USAMRDC, etc., are preparing a
           document which will be provided to medical personnel in-theater

                                              UNCLASSIFIED

Document 5 f:/Week-36/BX003203/AAR MEETING OF THE AD HOC WORKING GROUP BIOLOGICAL/mtg of ad hoc working grp for med def against bi:11259610134131
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-36
Box ID = BX003203
Unit = OTSG
Parent Organization = HSC
Folder Title = AAR MEETING OF THE AD HOC WORKING GROUP BIOLOGICAL
Folder Seq # = 207
Subject = MTG OF AD HOC WORKING GRP FOR MED DEF AGAINST BI
Document Seq # = 1
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 25-NOV-1996