Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Officials probe Marine recruit death amid fears of Strep-A outbreak
Sac Bee ^ | 12/16/02 | AP

Posted on 12/16/2002 10:41:52 AM PST by NormsRevenge

Edited on 04/12/2004 5:47:03 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]

SAN DIEGO(AP) - Officials planned an autopsy Monday to determine what killed an 18-year-old Marine Corps recruit who developed a fast-spreading rash after 5,000 recruits received inoculations to stop the spread of a potentially lethal bacteria.

Amid growing concerns of an outbreak of Strep-A bacteria, officials at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot said Monday they were considering a "stand down," an unusual move that would temporarily cease all training at the base.


(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: marine; marines; recruit; strep; strepa; virus

1 posted on 12/16/2002 10:41:52 AM PST by NormsRevenge
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Ben Chad
Ping
2 posted on 12/16/2002 10:42:47 AM PST by NormsRevenge
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
God bless our fighting men who are willing to risk their lives just to train to fight. Prayers for the families.

/john

3 posted on 12/16/2002 10:45:25 AM PST by JRandomFreeper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
http://www.sacbee.com/state_wire/story/5610973p-6587549c.html

Officials probe Marine recruit death amid fears of Strep-A outbreak

The Associated Press

Published 8:10 a.m. PST Monday, December 16, 2002

SAN DIEGO(AP) - Officials planned an autopsy Monday to determine what killed an 18-year-old Marine Corps recruit who developed a fast-spreading rash after 5,000 recruits received inoculations to stop the spread of a potentially lethal bacteria.

Amid growing concerns of an outbreak of Strep-A bacteria, officials at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot said Monday they were considering a "stand down," an unusual move that would temporarily cease all training at the base.

Pvt. Miguel Zavala, of Greenfield, died Sunday at the Naval Regional Medical Center hours after he sought treatment for a rash on his ankle. The rash spread over much of his body and Zavala developed pneumonia-like symptoms before he died, officials said.

Marine officials had decided prior to Zavala's death to provide the inoculations in response to an outbreak last week of Strep-A, which caused more than 60 recruits to be hospitalized.

"This can be the source of fatal pneumonia," said Navy Capt. J.D. Malone, director of medical services at the center. "That's why we're being so aggressive."

Infectious disease experts at the medical center do not believe Zavala's death is linked to the current outbreak, medical center spokesman Doug Sayers said.

Officials hoped to have a better idea of the cause of death after Monday's autopsy.

Although Strep-A, also known as streptococcal bacteria, is most commonly reflected in a sore throat and aches, it can cause necrotizing fasciitis, a flesh-eating disease that attacks deep layers of tissue.

County health officials were working with Marine officials to control the spread of the disease, said Dr. Michelle Ginsberg, head of the county's Health Department's epidemiology unit.

"In such a group setting it is not unusual to have an outbreak of strep," Ginsberg said. "You have all those recruits from different parts of the country living in close quarters. It's very stressful, very physical."

Zavala's death was the third at the recruit depot in recent weeks.

The other two deaths followed strenuous training exercises and were not believed to be linked to the Strep-A outbreak, officials said.

Pvt. Neal Edwards, 18, of St. Clair, Mo., died Nov. 24 after collapsing during training on an obstacle course. Pvt. Samuel J. Bruss, 19, of Kenosha, Wis., died Thursday after survival training at the base swimming pool, where recruits were taught to swim while dressed in full combat gear.

4 posted on 12/16/2002 1:10:53 PM PST by Ben Chad
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Ben Chad
I am at a loss for words to describe the sadness I feel for the loss of yet another young Marine Recruit. Pvt. Miguel Zavala, you did well and you will be missed. Thoughts and prayers are with Miguel, Samuel and Neal and their families and friends. Pray for the medical staff in San Diego to conquer this disease and prevent it from spreading to other recruits. Pray for the sick recruits to recover.
5 posted on 12/16/2002 1:29:47 PM PST by Ben Chad
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson