Malaria: A Serious Threat to our Military
http://www.nwc.navy.mil/press/Review...s/art4-w05.pdf
THE MOSQUITO CAN BE MORE DANGEROUS THAN THE MORTAR ROUND
We must be prepared to meet malaria by training as strict and earnest
as that against enemy troops. We must be as practiced in our weapons
against it as we are with a rifle.
FIELD MARSHAL VISCOUNT SIR ARCHIBALD WAVELL
Quote:
The malaria threat is tied to the rate of transmission, and in most cases the transmission rate depends on the local mosquito population.During operations in sub-Saharan Africa, where mosquitoes are very effective malaria “vectors,” malaria infection rates among unprotected troops may be expected to approach 100 percent, and if the infected soldiers are American,without prior exposure to tropical diseases, a high percentage will likely suffer acute infections and experience life-threatening complications that require immediate medical evacuation. These realities could easily render a U.S. military force ineffective without a combat engagement ever taking place.
Briefings on Malaria Outbreaks with JTF Liberia
http://www-nehc.med.navy.mil/downloa...JTFMalaria.pdf
http://www-nehc.med.navy.mil/Downloa..._IDC_20020.ppt
Malaria-Related Info for DoD
Mornin' SGM !
Having worked in Sub-Sahara for nearly 10 straight years with 7 countries of accreditation, I can substantiate your post and quote 110 percent. I am however perplexed that the US Military would send a JTF in without reading at least the DoD Foreign Clearance Guide, and better yet the US Embassy's web site for that particular country.
The FCG contains information derived and updated annually by members in country, including US Military. The Embassy web sites are more "State-sanctioned info" but also contain substantial medical-related info for the common traveler.
Zäire's mosquito population carry Falciparum malaria (contracting it equated to a medical emergency requiring hospitalization).
In early 84 prior to anti-terrorism courses at Bragg and our MTTs deployment to Kinshasa, Zäire, the base physician gave us our first two doses of Chloroquine together with some tiny little tablets to keep our livers from going south. He was adamant that not less than two weeks on Chloroquine prior to entering Africa. He also went into grave detail about Chloroquine side-effects. Paranoia being the worst. "You could go crazy, but you won't die from malaria" he said. I felt better already :eek:
Now that I think about, even the aircrews from the 437th in Charleston and the 438th out of McGuire that frequented our little hole every two weeks were on Chloroquine.
The other side-effects ?
They include blood donation and liver problems. You actually carry the malaria around with you for up to 5 years and during that time, nobody wants your blood or your liver (except the others that were with you there :D ).
Regards, Stan
Hard for alot of soldiers to understand it is 100% preventable
SGM,
That's nothing more than a darn shame.
Our EOD elements have deployed on 6 rotations to Afghanistan without one incident. Our Rescue Team's paramedic checked the CDC site and ordered the prescriptions for 65 of us. "Take these" he said.
Later our Disaster Relief Team would go to provide relief to the Tsunami victims. Same story, take this and don't stop.
Hey Nichols,
I would agree 100 percent, easy to control a small MTT or detachment, but an entire company may play hell.
Perhaps better we didn't have access to mefloquine in the early 80's. I think I would rather be crazy with a failing liver :D
Regards, Stan
Doxycyclene is a wonderful prophelactic drug
Hey RTK and Nichols !
Doxy was the Army's wonder and fix all in Korea. No, we are not going to discuss my doxy treatments :D
My 1970's Central American trip was just that ! A dull grey C130, no tail number, and 2 each of Bob, Dave and Tom aboard.
We did however have malaria meds :cool:
RTK,
Your promised the story behind that trophy ! I know you secretly won it racing HDs !!!
Stan