Viscerotropic Leishmaniasis in Military Personnel Returning from Operation

File: 970207_aadcs_001.txt
Page: 001
Total Pages: 4

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES AIR fORCE
WASHINGTON D.C.
20332-6188 18 NOV 1991

.
REPLY TO
SGP
ATTN OF:

SUBJECT: Viscerotropic Leishmaniasis in Military Personnel Returning from Operation
Desert Shield/Desert Storm

To: HQ ATC/SG HQ AL/SO HQ AFLC/SG HQ AFSC/SG
HQ MAC/SO HQ SAC/SO HQ TAC/SG HQ USAFE/SG
HQ USAFA/SG HQ PACAF/SG HQ AFRES/SG NGB/SG
HQ AFIA/SG HQ AFSPACECOM/SG DeCA/DOC HQ ESC/SG

1. Seven soldiers returning from Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm were
admitted to Walter Reed Army Medical Center between Nov 90 and Oct 91 for
fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. The mild illness
resulted from infection with the parasite Leishmania tropica, which is
transmitted by the bite of a sandfly. This specific parasite normally causes
skin lesions only. so this is a previously unrecognized disease and very
little is known.

2. Leishmaniasis can potentially be transmitted by blood transfusions,
although the risk is felt to be extremely small. The Assistant Secretary of
Defense (Health Affairs) has directed that all military personnel returning
from Southwest Asia since 1 Aug 90 be temporarily deferred from donating
blood. This deferral may dramatically reduce the amount of blood available
and could impact surgery if additional donors are not located.

3. An information paper informing clinicians of potential Leishmaniasis
infection in military personnel returning from the Middle East is provided at
Attachment 1. A copy of this information paper should be forwarded to all
providers currently practicing in Air Force medical treatment facilities.

4. Our points of contact are [(b)(2)]
Bolling AFB,DC 20332-6188.

[(b)(6)]

PAUL D. GLEASON, Brig Gen, USAF, MC 1 Atch
Director, Professional Affairs Information Paper
and Quality Assurance
Office of the Surgeon General cc: HSD/CC
HQ USEUCOM/ECMD