KUWAIT

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KUWAIT
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Environmental Health Risks

• Greatest short-term risks are associated with
  ingestion of contaminated food/water extreme
  heat and airborne dust and sand
• Greatest long-term risks associated with
  ingestion of food/water contaminated with toxic
  materials

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Environmental Issues

• Air Quality Contamination
• Minimal health effects
• Short-term health risks
• Occasional reduction in air quality near
  industrial complexes and from windblown dust
  particularly in sensitive individuals
• Exposure to particulate matter above established
  standards poses the greatest short-term risk to
  human health
• Elevated levels of ozone and particulate matter
  (PM-10) at Camp Doha have been identified by a US
  Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive
  Medicine (USACHPPM) report from 2000
• Long-term health risks
• Exposure to lead from vehicle exhaust and
  petroleum industry

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Environmental Issues

• Soil Contamination
• Generally presents a low risk to human health
• Soil contamination usually is localized to
  specific areas surrounding petroleum and natural
  gas production, storage, and distribution
  facilities industrial facilities and waste
  disposal sites.
• Even in such areas, significant exposure to
  contaminants in soil is unlikely in the absence
  of windblown dust, active digging, or migration
  of contaminants from soil into groundwater.
• Residues from DU munitions used in the first Gulf
  War are present at numerous locations in Kuwait.
  These residues do not pose a significant
  toxicological or radiological hazard to deployed
  forces in those areas.

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Environmental Issues

• Drinking Water Contamination
• Drinking water in some areas of Kuwait may
  contain microbial or chemical contaminants.
  Consumption of water contaminated with raw sewage
  or runoff containing fecal pathogens may cause a
  variety of acute enteric infections
• Desalinated seawater is the primary source of
  drinking water in Kuwait. Drinking water may
  become contaminated during distribution because
  of aging or corroded pipes, poor system
  integrity, pressure fluctuations from power
  shortages causing back siphoning, and subsequent
  microbial or chemical infiltration.

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Infectious Disease Risk

• Low Risk for infectious diseases
• Food-, Water- and Vector-borne disease may
  adversely impact mission effectiveness under some
  circumstances and warrant appropriate force
  health protection (FHP) measures

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Infectious Diseases

• Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases
• High Risk Diarrhea (bacterial), Hepatitis A
• Intermediate Risk Diarrhea (protozoal),
  Typhoid/Paratyphoid
• FHP Priorities
• Consume food, water, ice only from US-approved
  sources
• Wash your hands after using latrines and before
  eating (hand washing stations should be near
  latrines and dining facilities)

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Infectious Diseases

• Vector-borne Disease
• Intermediate Risk Leishmaniasis, West Nile
  fever
• FHP Priorities
• Use DEET on all exposed skin
• Treat field uniforms with permethrin
• Practice proper uniform discipline
• Use bed nets in field conditions, treat with
  permethrin

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Infectious Diseases

• Animal-contact Diseases
• Intermediate Risk Q-fever, Rabies
• FHP Priorities
• Avoid animal contact, especially if the animal
  exhibits strange behavior
• No mascots (GENERAL ORDER 1)
• Report all animal bites and scratches

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Infectious Diseases

• Sexually Transmitted Diseases
• Intermediate Risk Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, HIV,
  Hepatitis B
• FHP Priorities
• Refrain from any sexual activity while on
  deployment (General Order 1)

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Infectious Diseases
Water-borne Disease Intermediate Risk
Leptospirosis FHP Priorities Avoid unnecessary
contact with lakes, rivers, streams, and other
surface water
There will not be a sign like this.
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Infectious Diseases

• Respiratory Diseases
• Intermediate Risk Tuberculosis
• FHP Priorities
• Tuberculin skin test before and after deployment
• 72 sq ft/person and head-to-toe sleeping
  arrangement
• Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve instead of
  your hands
• Wash hands at every opportunity
• Avoid close contact with local population

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Hazardous Animals

• Animals
• Rabid dogs, poisonous snakes, scorpions, spiders
• FHP Priorities
• Do not handle or feed animals
• Shake out boots, clothing, bedding

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Summary

• Physical Environment
• Infectious Diseases Low Risk
• Hazardous Animals
• FHP measures are simple and effective
• Use and Enforce
• Will conserve the fighting strength
• Help ensure mission success
• COME HOME HEALTHY!!!