2nd MEB takes preventive measures for Afghanistan
4/01/2009 By Cpl. Aaron Rooks
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Combating insurgency in
Afghanistan is not the only challenge awaiting the Marines and
sailors of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade.
In addition to enemy combatants, Marines deploying to
Afghanistan's Regional Command-South will also face a number
of potential health threats.
The Central Asian country has been labeled by the World Health
Organization as one of the least developed countries in the
world, with 70 percent of the population living in extreme
poverty and health vulnerability.
Several food-, water-, animal-, and vector-borne diseases are
found commonly throughout the country. The most common of all,
according to Afghanistan's Ministry of Public Health, is
malaria.
More than half of the country's population, especially women
and children, are vulnerable to malaria, according to an April
2008 report from the Integrated Regional Information Networks,
the humanitarian news and analysis service of the United
Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
The Ministry of Public Health and WHO estimated that up to 1.5
million cases of malaria occur each year throughout
Afghanistan, most of which go untreated.
The 2nd MEB Health Services Support Section identified
malaria, bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A,
rabies, typhoid and paratyphoid fever as the diseases of
highest risk in Regional Command-South. The medical staff has
also identified tuberculosis, hepatitis E, sand fly fever,
typhus, leishmaniasis, west nile fever and anthrax as some of
the intermediate risks present in the Marines' future area of
operations.
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew Siruchek, a hospital
corpsman with 2nd MEB, said preventive medicine is key for
Marines and sailors deploying to the region.
The Walden, N.Y., native, who deployed to Afghanistan with the
24th Marine Expeditionary Unit from March to October 2008,
said malaria was their largest concern.
"Preventive treatment and education made the difference," he
said. "We always preached to them to take their medications
once a week and they would be covered."
Medication includes Mefloquine, a treatment used to combat
malaria, which is transmitted primarily by mosquitoes.
The HSSS is taking these precautions and others. Navy Senior
Chief Petty Officer Shannon Dittlinger, medical operations
chief for the HSSS, said her team of corpsmen and Navy doctors
has worked diligently since February to ensure the brigade is
medically ready.
The Weirsdale, Fla., native said they have sprayed uniforms
and sleeping systems to deter disease-carrying insects,
ordered the necessary medications and conducted health, dental
and neurological assessments. They have also performed
vaccinations to prevent diseases such as yellow fever,
anthrax, smallpox, hepatitis A, typhoid and measles.
But Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jose Gonzalezramos, a
hospital corpsman and preventive medicine technician for the
brigade, said there's no preventive medicine offered for
Marines to combat some of the diseases found in Afghanistan.
The Maunavo, Puerto Rico native said education plays the
largest role in combating these diseases and other medical
conditions overseas.
"If Marines listen to what we recommend to them, they will be
healthier," he said. "If there is a shot that can prevent you
from contracting diseases, why not get it? If you know a water
source is contaminated, why go near it? If Marines or sailors
contract any of these diseases, they will be taken out of the
fight temporarily or permanently."
The HSSS team members said they are prepared in case anyone
contracts one of the many diseases in the country, which the
brigade medical planner, Navy Lt. Diana Loffgren, said is
possible. She said there are currently several confirmed cases
of malaria in troops serving in Afghanistan, but noted that
none of these cases involve U.S. service members.
Despite the threats, the MEB medical personnel remain
confident in the deployment being a success.
"I'm 100 percent confident in the corpsmen and doctors who
will be taking care of the brigade's medical issues, whether
they are combat casualties or diseases," Dittlinger said. |
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