Gastroenteritis Outbreak in British Troops, Iraq

Abstract

Gastroenteritis affected many British military personnel during the war in Iraq. In the first month, 1,340 cases were seen; 73% of patients required hospital admission and 36% were hospital staff. In a survey of 500 hospital staff, 76% reported gastroenteritis, which was more likely in clinical workers. Investigations showed only caliciviruses.

Keywords

• Gastroenteritis
• military personnel
• Iraq
• calicivirus infections
• Norovirus
• Sapovirus