Epidemic infectious gastrointestinal illness aboard U.S. Navy ships deployed to the Middle East during peacetime operations – 2000–2001. BMC Gastroenterol. 2006 Dec;6(1):9.

Author: Riddle MS, Smoak BL, Thornton SA, Bresee JS, Faix DJ, Putnam SD.

Summary: This is a preliminary examination of suspected infectious gastrointestinal illness outbreaks onboard US Navy ships in the Middle East. This is the first study to quantify the rate of outbreaks, and it should spur further research employing methodology tailored to detecting, characterizing, and attributing cause to shipboard IGI epidemics. The epidemics are widespread among naval workers, and further research is needed to determine the etiology, breadth, and contributing factors that raise outbreak risk and morbidity. In addition to sea-based investigations, epidemiologic studies among land-based deployed military personnel are required to assess the impact of outbreak-associated IGI and to distinguish risk factors that may be particular to sea-going vessels.