thedrifter
12-16-07, 05:59 PM
Marines go to war against tough virus and win
Published Sat, Dec 15, 2007 12:00 AM
By IAN LESLIE
ileslie@beaufortgazette.com
843-986-5527
When a new strain of a flu-like virus began infecting Parris Island recruits seven months ago, the training depot's staff did what you'd expect Marines to do -- they fought back.
From June to October, almost 200 recruits were diagnosed with adenovirus 14, which typically results in a common cold but can lead to severe respiratory issues.
But after instituting a series of safety measures, there have been no cases of the virus on Parris
Island in November or December, according to Maj. Gabrielle Chapin, spokeswoman for the recruit depot.
Adenovirus 14, or Ad14, has gained national attention as it has infected thousands this year and is responsible for the deaths of at least 10 people.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ad14 "is a rarely reported but emerging serotype of adenovirus that can cause severe and sometimes fatal respiratory illness in patients of all ages."
Ad14 first was identified in the 1950s, but until recently, has been detected only rarely, according to the CDC Web site.
The new strain of the virus was first identified in the United States in 2005.
Although the CDC Web site says the new strain of Ad14 "appears to have a higher rate of severe illness compared with other adenoviruses," it also says "since Ad14 infections are not common and most Ad14 infections are not serious, the emergence of Ad14 should not be a concern to the general population."
Chapin said the first case of Ad14 on Parris Island was confirmed in June.
"It took a climb in June and July of 2007," she said.
Of the almost 200 Parris Island cases, 24 recruits were admitted to Naval Hospital Beaufort for overnight observation. Two of the 24 recruits required extended care of one or two days to deal with "complicated pneumonia," Chapin said, adding that none of the island's drill instructors was infected with the virus.
Controlling the virus ultimately came down to a simple protocol: "If a recruit had the sniffles, they were going to medical," Chapin said.
Recruits with the sniffles were places in an "isolated platoon" and were monitored and treated, she said. If three recruits in the same platoon showed symptoms, the whole platoon was put on light-duty.
"Bottom line was we didn't want to take any chances," Chapin said.
Parris Island officials also decided to stagger where recruitsslept, basically skipping a bed in between each recruit so that they weren't breathing on each other.
"Our medical folks here were able to identify it fairly early, and we did a comprehensive education program with the (drill instructors)," Chapin said of the campaign that followed the spike in infections.
Parris Island's handling of the Ad14 infections was coordinated with the state Department of Health and Environmental Control, which wasn't required because Parris Island is a federal facility.
"We had a great experience working with them," said Nick Davidson, public health preparedness director for DHEC's Region 8 office, which includes Beaufort County. "They took some great measures to control it."
Davidson said there have been no reports of Ad14 infections in the civilian community throughout Beaufort County.
Chapin said the key to being able to control an outbreak on Parris Island is that staff can tell the 20,000 recruits who pass through the island's gates every year where they need to be at every minute.
The same can't be said at universities or other public institutions.
"We're considering this a success story," Chapin said.
Ellie
Published Sat, Dec 15, 2007 12:00 AM
By IAN LESLIE
ileslie@beaufortgazette.com
843-986-5527
When a new strain of a flu-like virus began infecting Parris Island recruits seven months ago, the training depot's staff did what you'd expect Marines to do -- they fought back.
From June to October, almost 200 recruits were diagnosed with adenovirus 14, which typically results in a common cold but can lead to severe respiratory issues.
But after instituting a series of safety measures, there have been no cases of the virus on Parris
Island in November or December, according to Maj. Gabrielle Chapin, spokeswoman for the recruit depot.
Adenovirus 14, or Ad14, has gained national attention as it has infected thousands this year and is responsible for the deaths of at least 10 people.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ad14 "is a rarely reported but emerging serotype of adenovirus that can cause severe and sometimes fatal respiratory illness in patients of all ages."
Ad14 first was identified in the 1950s, but until recently, has been detected only rarely, according to the CDC Web site.
The new strain of the virus was first identified in the United States in 2005.
Although the CDC Web site says the new strain of Ad14 "appears to have a higher rate of severe illness compared with other adenoviruses," it also says "since Ad14 infections are not common and most Ad14 infections are not serious, the emergence of Ad14 should not be a concern to the general population."
Chapin said the first case of Ad14 on Parris Island was confirmed in June.
"It took a climb in June and July of 2007," she said.
Of the almost 200 Parris Island cases, 24 recruits were admitted to Naval Hospital Beaufort for overnight observation. Two of the 24 recruits required extended care of one or two days to deal with "complicated pneumonia," Chapin said, adding that none of the island's drill instructors was infected with the virus.
Controlling the virus ultimately came down to a simple protocol: "If a recruit had the sniffles, they were going to medical," Chapin said.
Recruits with the sniffles were places in an "isolated platoon" and were monitored and treated, she said. If three recruits in the same platoon showed symptoms, the whole platoon was put on light-duty.
"Bottom line was we didn't want to take any chances," Chapin said.
Parris Island officials also decided to stagger where recruitsslept, basically skipping a bed in between each recruit so that they weren't breathing on each other.
"Our medical folks here were able to identify it fairly early, and we did a comprehensive education program with the (drill instructors)," Chapin said of the campaign that followed the spike in infections.
Parris Island's handling of the Ad14 infections was coordinated with the state Department of Health and Environmental Control, which wasn't required because Parris Island is a federal facility.
"We had a great experience working with them," said Nick Davidson, public health preparedness director for DHEC's Region 8 office, which includes Beaufort County. "They took some great measures to control it."
Davidson said there have been no reports of Ad14 infections in the civilian community throughout Beaufort County.
Chapin said the key to being able to control an outbreak on Parris Island is that staff can tell the 20,000 recruits who pass through the island's gates every year where they need to be at every minute.
The same can't be said at universities or other public institutions.
"We're considering this a success story," Chapin said.
Ellie