CDRS UPDATE ON THE LEISHMANIASIS IDENTIFIED IN SWA

File: 980811_sep96_decls1_0002.txt
Page: 0002
Total Pages: 3
Subject = CDRS UPDATE ON THE LEISHMANIASIS IDENTIFIED IN SWA

Box ID = BX003208

Folder Title = COMMANDERS UPDATE

File Cabinet = Week-38

Parent Organization = HSC















File Room = sep96_classified    

File Room = sep96_classified    

File Room = sep96_classified    

File Room = sep96_classified    










  4. THIS DISEASE IS TRANSMITTED BY THE BITE OF A SANDFLY. THERE IS
  NO TRANSMISSION FROM ONE PERSON TO ANOTHER, WITH T4E EXCEPTION OF A
  REMOTE POSSIBILITY OF TRANSMISSION THROUGH BLOOD TRANSFUSION.
  THEREFORE, ALL INDIVIDUALS WHO DEPLOYED TO SWA SINCE I AUG 1990 AND
  THEREAFTER ARE TEMPORARILY DEFERRED FROM DONATING BLOOD (REF B).
  ONLY THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO DEPLOYED TO SWA ARE AT RISK FOR
  DEVELOPING THE DISEASE; FAMILY MEMBERS ARE NOT AT RISK.
  5. THERE IS CURRENTLY NO WIDELY AVAILABLE SCREENING TEST TO HELP
  DIAGNOSE THE INFECTION. EFFORTS ARE UNDER WAY TO DEVELOP SUCH A
  TEST. SPECIALIZED DIAGNOSTIC TESTS ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE ONLY AT
  WALTER REED ARMY MEDICAL CENTER. IN THE MEANTIME, ANY SOLDIER WHO
  IS ASYMPTOMATIC NEED NOT BE CONCERNED NOR SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION.
  SOLDIERS DEVELOPING SOME OR ALL OF THE SYMPTOMS LISTED BELOW WHICH
  PERSIST SHOULD SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. SYMPTOMS INCLUDE COMPLAINTS




  PAGE 03 RUEADWD9716 UNCLAS
  OF HIGH FEVER WITH CHILLS, MALAISE, WEAKNESS, GASTROINTESTINAL
  COMPLAINTS OF WATERY DIARRHEA OF SMALL VOLUMES, NAUSEA, AND DIFFUSE
  ABDOMINAL PAIN. HEADACHES AND CHRONIC COUGH ARE ALSO POSSIBLE.
  THESE SYMPTOMS COULD DEVELOP WEEKS OR MONTHS AFTER LEAVING THE SWA
  THEATER OF OPERATIONS.
  6. ANY ACTIVE DUTY SOLDIER WHO EXPERIENCES SYMPTOMS OF POSSIBLE
  LEISHMANIASIS SHOULD REPORT TO HIS SUPPORTING PRIMARY CARE MEDICAL
  TREATMENT FACILITY FOR EVALUATION.
  7. RESERVISTS, NATIONAL GUARDSMEN, OR SEPARATED SERVICE MEMBERS WHO
  ARE IN POSSESSION OF A DD 214 (CERTIFICATE OF DISCHARGE) AND
  EXPERIENCE SYMPTOMS THEY BELIEVE ARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO THEIR SERVICE
  IN SWA SHOULD INITIALLY BE EVALUATED BY A VETERANS AFFAIRS HOSPITAL
  OR THEIR PERSONAL CIVILIAN PHYSICIAN. THE COST OF CARE RECEIVED
  FROM THEIR PERSONAL CIVILIAN PHYSICIAN THAT IS DETERMINED NOT TO BE
  ASSOCIATED WITH LEISHMANIASIS WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE
  INDIVIDUAL. IF THE PHYSICIAN BELIEVES THE INDIVIDUAL MAY HAVE
  CONTRACTED LEISHMANIASIS, THE PHYSICIAN SHOULD CONSULT WITH THE
  APPROPRIATE INFECTIOUS DISEASE CONSULTANT LISTED IN PARAGRAPH 9
  BELOW. IF IT IS DETERMINED THAT THE SOLDIER NEEDS FURTHER MEDICAL
  EVALUATION AND TREATMENT, THE SOLDIER WILL COORDINATE WITH HIS UNIT.




  PAGE 04 RUEADWD9716 UNCLAS
  OCAR, OR NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU AS APPROPRIATE.
  S. SYMPTOMATIC DEPARTMENT OF ARMY CIVILIANS MAY BE EVALUATED AT THE
  SERVICING OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH CLINIC. ALTERNATELY, THEY MAY SEE
  THEIR PRIVATE PHYSICIAN. HOWEVER, IF IT IS DETERMINED THAT AN
  INDIVIDUAL DOES NOT HAVE LEISHMANIASIS HE/SHE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE
  FOR THE COST OF THAT CARE.
  9. ANY PHYSICIAN WHO SUSPECTS LEISHMANIASIS INVOLVING CURRENT OR
  FORMER DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SERVICE PERSONNEL WHO SERVED IN
  SOUTHWEST ASIA DURING OPERATION DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM SHOULD
  CONTACT THE APPROPRIATE SERVICE INFECTIOUS DISEASE CONSULTANT.
  U.S. AIR FORCE: GREGORY MELCHER, MD
                  MAJ, USAF