Gastroenteritis outbreak in British troops, Iraq

Emerg Infect Dis. 2005 Oct;11(10):1625-8. doi: 10.3201/eid1110.050298.

Abstract

Gastroenteritis affected many British military personnel during the war in Iraq. In the first month, 1,340 cases were seen; 73% of patients required hospital admission and 36% were hospital staff. In a survey of 500 hospital staff, 76% reported gastroenteritis, which was more likely in clinical workers. Investigations showed only caliciviruses.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Caliciviridae Infections / epidemiology
  • Caliciviridae Infections / virology
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Female
  • Gastroenteritis / epidemiology*
  • Gastroenteritis / physiopathology
  • Gastroenteritis / virology
  • Humans
  • Iraq / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Military Personnel*
  • Norovirus / isolation & purification
  • Personnel, Hospital
  • Risk Factors
  • United Kingdom
  • Warfare*