AN INVESTIGATIVE STUDY OF OUTBREAK OF ACUTE GASTRO-ENTERITIS IN A TEMPORARY CAMP- RAPID RESPONSE AND CONTROL MEASURES
Col Saibal Adhya, MD (PSM), Brig (Dr.) Arun Tyagi*, MD (Med), FISC, FIACM, MACP, Col Swati Bajaj, MD (Community Medicine)
ABSTRACT
Background: Diarrheal diseases are present globally, making it eighth leading cause of mortality worldwide. An inequitable proportion of diarrhea morbidity occurs in individuals in temporary camp settings. Uniformed personnel by virtue of training and combat environment are at high risk of contracting disease. Acute gastro enteritis (AGE) is a significant health problem among the uniformed personnel across the world for centuries. AGE is one of the most common disease in the uniformed personnel who are operationally deployed or are training and can adversely affect operational and training activities. The authors investigated an outbreak of gastro-enteritis in a training center in Northern India. This paper highlights the outbreak investigation in temporary camp setting, determining cause and measures that can control the disease without affecting operational commitments and readiness. Methods: An outbreak of acute gastro-enteritis was reported in a training location in northern India during months of January and February 2019. A team comprising of Community Medicine specialist, a Senior health advisor, a Medical specialist and the health assistants investigated all cases. Detailed history was taken and lab investigations were done. The cause of the outbreak was determined and preventive measures were taken to control the outbreak. Results: The camp environment with bulk cooking necessitates safe drinking water facilities and hygienic practices. Epidemiological investigation of the outbreak addresses the major purpose of strengthening the preventive strategies and to reduce or eliminate risk in future.
Keywords: DISEASE OUTBREAK, TEMPORARY CAMP, GASTROENTERITIS, INVESTIGATION, RAPID RESPONSE.
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