Serological evidence of arboviral infection and self-reported febrile illness among U.S. troops deployed to Al Asad, Iraq

Epidemiol Infect. 2008 May;136(5):665-9. doi: 10.1017/S0950268807009016. Epub 2007 Jun 25.

Abstract

Understanding the epidemiology of current health threats to deployed U.S. troops is important for medical assessment and planning. As part of a 2004 study among U.S. military personnel deployed to Al Asad Air Base, in the western Anbar Province of Iraq, over 500 subjects were enrolled, provided a blood specimen, and completed a questionnaire regarding history of febrile illness during this deployment (average approximately 4 months in country). This mid-deployment serum was compared to pre-deployment samples (collected approximately 3 months prior to deployment) and evaluated for seroconversion to a select panel of regional arboviral pathogens. At least one episode of febrile illness was reported in 84/504 (17%) of the troops surveyed. Seroconversion was documented in nine (2%) of deployed forces tested, with no association to febrile illness. Self-reported febrile illness was uncommon although often debilitating, and the risk of illness due to arbovirus infections was relatively low.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arbovirus Infections / diagnosis*
  • Arbovirus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Arboviruses / immunology
  • Arboviruses / isolation & purification*
  • Blood / virology
  • Female
  • Fever of Unknown Origin / virology
  • Humans
  • Iraq / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Military Personnel*
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • United States