29 people severely sickened with unknown illness at Lemoore Naval Air Station in CA: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and headaches

[Emily]

This is located 40 miles south of Fresno, CA in the USA. They train fighter squadrons. Illness was severe enough to cause nearly 30 to go to the hospital. Water problems are being investigated.

http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_18284207?nclick_check=1
29 people sick at Lemoore Naval Air Station
The Associated Press
Posted: 06/15/2011 09:34:19 PM PDT
Updated: 06/15/2011 09:34:26 PM PDT


http://www.cbs47.tv/news/local/story/NASL-possible-water-contamination/20iGZGD0_EKkZFvgKcAUYA.cspx
NASL possible water contamination
CBS47 On Your Side
Reported by: Alicia Coates
Published: 6/15 10:53 pm
Updated: 6/15 10:54 pm


However, in this article a base spokesperson says that Base officials were doubtful that the water supply is contaminated, because more people would have reported being ill.

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/MED-BASEILLNESS_5361764/MED-BASEILLNESS_5361764/
Water tested as nearly 30 suddenly sickened at naval base in California

By Lewis Griswold McClatchy Newspapers
First Posted: June 15, 2011 - 4:48 pm
Last Updated: June 15, 2011 - 4:48 pm



In the video below the reporter says they have been told there have been no more people seeking treatment at the hospital since the initial wave:

http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/local&id=8190774
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[Emily]

Re: 29 people severely sickened with unknown illness at Lemoore Naval Air Station in CA: nausea, vomiting and diarrhea

Re: 29 people severely sickened with unknown illness at Lemoore Naval Air Station in CA: nausea, vomiting and diarrhea

According to a couple of new articles, the Navy has said the drinking water is safe and thinks a virus spreading person-to-person caused the outbreak. But only bacterial and chlorine testing is mentioned for the water samples. I'm wondering if testing for chemical contaminants was done. (There was a jet crash near or on the base in April, so I wonder about jet fuel leakage into the ground water.) I also still wonder about a food source.

If this were an outbreak from a person-to-person spread virus, why would it suddenly stop after orders were given to drink bottled water? Another question I have is was any testing for bacteria or viruses done on the patients? Is there a virus that would cause the reported symtoms? (Headaches were also mentioned in one of the stories.)


http://www.kmph.com/story/14923037/nas-lemoore-water-safe-to-drink

 

[alert]

Re: 29 people severely sickened with unknown illness at Lemoore Naval Air Station in CA: nausea, vomiting and diarrhea

Re: 29 people severely sickened with unknown illness at Lemoore Naval Air Station in CA: nausea, vomiting and diarrhea

According to a couple of new articles, the Navy has said the drinking water is safe and thinks a virus spreading person-to-person caused the outbreak. But only bacterial and chlorine testing is mentioned for the water samples. I'm wondering if testing for chemical contaminants was done. (There was a jet crash near or on the base in April, so I wonder about jet fuel leakage into the ground water.) I also still wonder about a food source.

If this were an outbreak from a person-to-person spread virus, why would it suddenly stop after orders were given to drink bottled water? Another question I have is was any testing for bacteria or viruses done on the patients? Is there a virus that would cause the reported symtoms? (Headaches were also mentioned in one of the stories.)


http://www.kmph.com/story/14923037/nas-lemoore-water-safe-to-drink

If person-to-person spread is suspected, norovirus should be considered.

 

[Emily]

Re: 29 people severely sickened with unknown illness at Lemoore Naval Air Station in CA: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and headaches

Thanks, alert. The day of the outbreak, (I believe that patients began going to the hospital on Wednesday night), 300 sailors arrived on base who had been at sea.
http://www.fresnobee.com/2011/06/15/2428673/lemoore-sailors-get-big-homecoming.html


So possibly norovirus was brought onto the base?

 

[Emily]

Re: 29 people severely sickened with unknown illness at Lemoore Naval Air Station in CA: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and headaches

A similar outbreak occurred in February at Fort Benning:

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2011/02/12/1456806/fort-benning-150-trainees-recovering.html

Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011
About 150 Fort Benning trainees recovering from virus
Cause of virus unknown; soldiers encouraged to wash hands frequently
By BEN WRIGHT
Soldiers were encouraged to wash their hands after about 150 trainees fell ill with a mild gastrointestinal virus causing nausea, vomiting and diarrhea Wednesday, a Fort Benning officials said Friday....

Read more: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2011...s-recovering.html#disqus_thread#ixzz1PW3BoxG4