Posted on 05/18/2002 3:29:37 AM PDT by Vigilant1
At least 20 soldiers struck by mystery illness; nearly 350 quarantined
BAGRAM, Afghanistan, May 16 Another 20 British soldiers in Afghanistan have come down with symptoms of a mysterious disease, and one of the men was so sick he was to be evacuated Friday, a British military spokesman said.
SEVEN BRITISH soldiers have already been evacuated six to Britain and one to a U.S. military hospital in Germany since the outbreak began Sunday.
Lt. Col. Ben Curry said two of the 20 soldiers were isolated after displaying symptoms of the unknown disease, but it was unclear what it was.
British officials discovered the possible new cases Thursday after a senior medical officer ordered a check of all British troops deployed at Bagram air base "in order to identify anyone who displayed the symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting."
Curry said the 20 personnel had reported the symptoms during the check. The most serious case was to be evacuated to Britain Friday, while two others showing serious symptoms of the infection were isolated and treated.
Eight patients have recovered so far, but are still under quarantine.
Military officials have rejected the possibility of a biological terrorist attack.
Two experts in communicable diseases were being flown into Afghanistan to assess the situation, Curry said.SEVEN BRITISH soldiers have already been evacuated six to Britain and one to a U.S. military hospital in Germany since the outbreak began Sunday.
Lt. Col. Ben Curry said two of the 20 soldiers were isolated after displaying symptoms of the unknown disease, but it was unclear what it was.
British officials discovered the possible new cases Thursday after a senior medical officer ordered a check of all British troops deployed at Bagram air base "in order to identify anyone who displayed the symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting."
Curry said the 20 personnel had reported the symptoms during the check. The most serious case was to be evacuated to Britain Friday, while two others showing serious symptoms of the infection were isolated and treated.
Eight patients have recovered so far, but are still under quarantine.
Military officials have rejected the possibility of a biological terrorist attack.
Two experts in communicable diseases were being flown into Afghanistan to assess the situation, Curry said.
About 5,000 soldiers from some 10 countries are in Bagram. None of the about 2,700 American troops deployed there are thought to have contracted the illness, said U.S. military spokesman Maj. Bryan Hilferty.
Cheers Tony
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