---

Deployed troops, health care workers, high-risk groups to receive flu shots

 CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan — Despite the shortage of the influenza vaccine in the United States, military medical officials here are developing a plan to vaccinate servicemembers serving in certain, critical positions and family members meeting specific medical and age criteria.

  “The U.S. government is trying to obtain additional vaccines, but the process of development is so time intensive that the likelihood of receiving additional doses (of the influenza vaccine) remains low,” said Lt. Cmdr. J. Reed Pate, director of Community Health for the U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa.

It is anticipated on Okinawa military installations that critical operational force servicemembers, health care workers with direct patient contact and people with high-risk medical situations will be the only personnel vaccinated this flu season, according to Pate.

Critical operational forces include those forward deployed in support of the global war on terrorism and in other high-security risk areas as well as servicemembers who are preparing to deploy in the near future.

The critical operational forces also include servicemembers underway for two or more weeks aboard a ship, personnel on 24-hour alert status and deployed DOD civilians in direct support of operational forces.

High-risk groups are defined as children, ages 6-23 months; military beneficiaries, ages 2-64, with underlying chronic medical conditions; otherwise healthy adults, 65 and older; all women who will be pregnant during the flu season; residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities; children, ages 6-18, on chronic aspirin therapy; out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of infants less than 6 months old; and other military members in priority for deployment.

Various orders have been distributed, listing different requirements for receiving flu shots, but they are continuously being updated. A clearer message will soon be released, according to Pate.

“We strive to provide the most current information to our beneficiaries (about who can and can’t receive the flu shot), but this year, the message has been very fluid and continues to take shape,” Pate said. “We are coordinating a unified message and procedures for everyone on (Okinawa) and will release it as soon as it is thorough and precise.”

The vaccine shortage is due to the fact that about half of the influenza vaccine supply for the United States was rejected by the British Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency Oct. 5. The health agency rejected 48 million doses of the vaccine due to bacterial contamination and other processing problems, according to Pate.

Those who are otherwise healthy will be deferred, pending further guidance, according to Lt. Cmdr. Colette A. Michaletz, head of the USNH’s Preventive Medicine Department. They should, however, prepare to protect themselves in other ways, such as washing their hands, avoiding touching their faces, drinking plenty of fluids, getting fresh air, not smoking or consuming alcohol, and relaxing.

This year’s vaccine shortage is unique in that the rejected doses have never reached 48 million before, according to Pate. Health officials are working with manufacturers to obtain vaccines in a timely manner to prevent this problem from occurring again.

Health Care Passport 

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan — Summer traveling throughout the Asian Pacific is a popular practice among servicemembers stationed on Okinawa.  Whether venturing solo, or with friends and family, travelers should be aware of the health risks associated with the countries in the region.

To counteract the diseases, viruses and parasites that can be caught, travelers need to take preventative measures before visiting foreign countries.

“Servicemembers and their families should research the country they are intending to visit and read guidebooks on the areas they want to travel to.  If travelers have any questions or need preventative shots or pills, they need to contact their primary care advisor,” said Lt. Cmdr. James R. Pate, director of community health, U.S. Naval Hospital, Okinawa.

For servicemembers and families visiting countries in Southeastern Asia, TRICARE provides a travel card that lists contact phone numbers for emergency medical/dental care.

“The TRICARE Travel Card provides an international SOS phone number for servicemembers and their families who need emergency care in foreign countries.  As long as they have a military identification card, the SOS number will tell them what hospitals are approved by TRICARE.  Families don’t pay to use the hospital, all they do is fill out the required forms and the fees are paid by the military,” said Arlita McClintock, TRICARE marketing representative, U.S. Naval Hospital, Okinawa.

The number one illness that travelers catch is travelers’ diarrhea, which is contracted from drinking or eating food contaminated with shigella bacteria.

“When traveling through some of these Asian countries, drink only bottled water and eat food from restaurants as opposed to street vendors,” Pate said.

On a recent deployment to Exercise Cobra Gold ’04, many Marines caught travelers’ diarrhea.

“I was in Thailand for 22 days, and 18 out of those 22 days I was sick from eating something that was contaminated.  I was having cramps, nausea and cold sweats for most of the time I was there.  After ten days of being sick, I went to the hospital and the doctor gave me Imodium, but it didn’t work.  I had to wait it out and allow my body to fight off the bacteria,” said Gunnery Sgt. Timothy Streaty, operations training chief, Consolidated Public Affairs Office, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Another common disease prominent in Asia is malaria, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

“What many travelers do not know is many of the disease-carrying insects are more active at night.  It is really important to use bug spray or wear long sleeve shirts or pants.  Make sure you get the required pills and shots to prevent catching this disease (malaria),” said Navy Lt. Uday Paul, staff internal medicine, U.S. Naval Hospital, Okinawa.

Getting the proper immunizations six weeks before traveling to the country of destination is important but not as important as making sure the medicine is taken properly, Pate emphasized.

“Travelers should take their medicine until it is finished.  If they do get sick, they need to see their doctor and inform them of their recent travels,” Pate said.

Third World countries go through waves of epidemics.  Travelers should be prepared, which will help keep them from getting sick, Paul said.

“There are a couple of precautions to take when traveling, no matter the destination,” Pate said.  “(Ensure you) wash your hands often with soap and water and eat only thoroughly cooked food.  Eat only fruits and vegetables that you have personally peeled.  There’s a good saying to remember when eating foreign foods: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it.”

Although there are many precautions to take when visiting foreign countries, the safety steps can help make your vacation more enjoyable and memorable.  After all, being sick while vacationing is no fun. 

 For more information on what precautions you and your family can take before visiting a foreign country, contact TRICARE at 643-7601 or research the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/travel. 

A close-up look of the malaria virus destroying the body’s red blood cells.  Malaria is a leading virus in countries within Southeastern Asia, but can be prevented by getting the proper immunization and pills before traveling, according to Lt. Cmdr. James L. Pate, director of community health, U.S. Naval Hospital, Okinawa.  (Courtesy Photo) 

Mosquitoes of Southeastern Asia are carriers of the malaria virus.  These insects are more active at night, and travelers should cover up with long sleeve shirts and pants to help protect against catching the disease. 

Shigella bacteria, commonly known as diarrhea, is the number one illness among travelers in Southeastern Asia during the tourist season.  Wash hands often with soap and water and eat only thoroughly cooked food.  

 

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan -- The health care passport (left) and international SOS card are available through TRICARE for servicemembers and their families traveling to Southeastern Asia.  The passport provides a list of military medical facilities available in Japan, Guam and Korea.  The SOS card provides phone numbers for emergency care in countries where no military medical facility is available.  Contact TRICARE at 643-7601 for more information.  (United States Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Rose A. Muth)  (Released)

USNH Okinawa Combats Meningitis

CAMP LESTER, OKINAWA, Japan — Several cases of meningitis occur throughout the year on Okinawa, according to health officials at the U.S. Naval Hospital, Okinawa. 

Servicemembers and their families are continuously exposed to bacteria and viruses, which can cause any number of diseases. The warm weather and humidity here creates a comfortable bed for these unfriendly germs to grow, which can cause bacterial and viral  meningitis.

 “During the summer and fall, there are increased occurrences of meningitis, particularly viral cases, as it tends to be a disease more common in warm weather,” said Lt. Cmdr. Reed Pate, director of Community Health, USNH, Okinawa.

Meningitis is an infection of the membrane that covers the brain and spinal cord.  If caused by a virus, the body is able to produce antibodies to fight the infection, and often hospitalization is not required. Bacteria cause the most serious cases and require intravenous antibiotics to treat the infection, and treatment includes close monitoring in the hospital. The signs and symptoms of meningitis include high fever, headache, and stiff neck. 

Newborns and infants may appear lethargic, irritable, or lose their appetite. A rash is also present in some cases but some symptoms of headache and neck stiffness may be absent or difficult to detect.

Although there is a low everyday threat of contracting meningitis, taking precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the disease are encouraged, according to the preventive medicine officials at the USNH, Okinawa.

“A viral illness is usually spread through contact with respiratory secretions (saliva, sputum, nasal mucus, etc.) and may also be found in stool,” Pate said, “That is why good hygiene and hand-washing are critical to preventing the spread of meningitis.”

 Hand-washing will reduce the chances of becoming infected from many contagious illnesses, ranging from the common cold to meningitis. There are also vaccines available for certain forms of the bacterial meningitis. It is important to be aware of possible signs and symptoms of the disease and seek medical treatment immediately if meningitis is suspected.

 The preventive medicine staff at the hospital track cases of meningitis, and currently there have been fourteen cases diagnosed. Staff physicians have determined that there is no general public health threat related to any of these cases.

 Air Force Capt. Victoria Keegan, deputy chief, 18th Wing Public Affairs, was 23-years-old when meningitis struck her life. Although it was a fight, she made a full recovery from the disease.

“It was miserable,” Keegan said. “It was the worse sickness I have ever had in my entire life. I felt my heart beat pulsating throughout my entire body and had such a severe headache. I truly thought my head was going to explode. I went to the emergency room, and my temperature was over 102 degrees, and my pulse was something like 100. I had a spinal tap, and they determined that I did have viral meningitis. I received (intravenous) fluids, antibiotics and a three-day hospital stay. All I can remember now was how miserable the pain was and that I was very weak. I was emotionally drained, irritable and physically exhausted.”

Anyone at any age is potentially at risk for contracting meningitis. It remains a very serious disease, which can be fatal under certain circumstances, Pate added.

“It is important to know that the viral form, which is most common, is rarely fatal. Yet, the bacterial form in its worst manifestation can result in disability or death.” Pate said.

For further information, please contact your health care provider, U.S. Naval Hospital Preventive Medicine Department at 643-7808, or Kadena Public Health at 630-4520. Additional information is available at the Center for Disease Control website: www.cdc.gov.

CAMP LESTER, OKINAWA, Japan -- Meningitis is an infection of the membrane that covers the brain and spinal cord. While viral cases are not usually as serious, bacterial meningitis can be life threatening. (Courtesy photo) Released

More on Marine Corps Headline News 

 

 

Company Profile | Feedback | Promotional Calendar
Weekly Winners | Disclaimer | Privacy Act

 

Privacy Act Statement | Web Page Policy | Webmaster