TECHNICAL DOCUMENTS AND REFERENCES

Communicable Diseases

Rudiger, C., Nowak G.(2016) Malaria Trends in the Navy and Marine Corps, 2005–2013. Mil Med, 181, 5 488-493

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27136658/

Abstact: U.S. Sailors and Marines routinely deploy to regions where malaria is endemic, such as Africa and Asia. This report describes the trends, demographic characteristics, and exposure type and location for active duty Navy and Marine Corps malaria cases from January 2005 to December 2013. Electronic clinical records for laboratory results and hospitalizations, as well as reported medical events, for malaria were used to identify cases. There were 112 malaria cases identified among Navy and Marine Corps service members during the study time frame. Most cases were associated with travel to Africa (58.9%) and were duty related (60.7%); however, one-fourth of cases were associated with personal travel. The majority of cases exposed while on personal travel were foreign born (74.2%). This comprehensive assessment of trends and burden of malaria among Sailors and Marines is essential to ensure mission readiness and the management and evaluation of malaria control programs. Further analysis may be warranted to explore the relationship between personal travel and foreign-born status in the Department of the Navy to determine potential for additional intervention and education.

Tourdot, L. E., Jordan, N. N., Leamer, N. K., Nowak, G., & Gaydos, J. C. (2016). Incidence of Chlamydia trachomatis Infections and Screening Compliance, U.S. Army Active Duty Females Under 25 Years of Age, 2011–2014. Medical Surveillance Monthly Report, 23(2), 29-31.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26930149/

Abstract: Reported chlamydia infection rates among active duty U.S. Army females less than 25 years old declined by 20% from 2011 to 2014 (11,028 infections per 100,000 person-years [p-yrs] to 8,793 infections per 100,000 p-yrs, respectively). An overall decline in the proportions of high-risk female soldiers tested for chlamydia occurred during the same period, declining from a high of 85% in 2011 to a low of 71% in 2012, with an increase to 80% in 2014. Chlamydia laboratory testing volume also decreased from 2011 to 2013 but the test positivity rate remained stable at 6.0%-6.4%. By using projected incidence rates based on 100% of at-risk women being screened with a stable laboratory positivity rate, there was an estimated 15% decline in chlamydia incidence from 2011 to 2014 (12,794 to 10,991 infections per 100,000 p-yrs, respectively). Surveillance for chlamydia infections must include consideration of screening program performance in addition to passive reporting.