Marine Corps Base Quantico -- As the Marine Corps continues to operate in West Africa, we must ensure our forces are aware of the risks associated with the current Ebola virus. To that end, the Marine Corps announced force health protection guidance in Marine Administrative Message 265/14 on Sept. 14.
The 2014 Ebola outbreak is the largest in history and the first Ebola epidemic the world has ever known, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
While there is very low risk for Marines and sailors who deploy to Africa, that risk can become moderate to high if they come into contact with an infected person, said Rear Adm. Brian Pecha, Medical Corps Medical Officer, in an official Marine Corps video message.
The video message and MARADMIN are components of www.marines.mil/ebola, a webpage dedicated to mitigating the Ebola threat to U.S. service members, through training and education. All personnel are required to review and comply with personal protective precautions outlined on the site.
Three thousand troops are scheduled to deploy to West Africa this fall.
According to a White House statement released Sept. 16, the U.S. military mission includes building additional Ebola treatment units in affected areas. Additionally, the joint-force command will establish a site to train up to 500 health care providers per week, enabling healthcare workers to safely provide direct medical care to patients. Troops will not provide direct care to Ebola infected patients.
Despite not being in direct contact diagnosed patients, commanders are still required to ensure personnel follow protection measures which include avoiding contact with people who appear sick, ensuring all foods are DOD approved, washing hands frequently and not handling wildlife. Additionally, the message commands service members to seek medical attention if experiencing Ebola-like symptoms, following contact with an infected person, after travel to a high-threat area or following contact with someone who has been in a high-threat area.
Symptoms of the virus may include fever, rash, headache, joint and muscle aches, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain and lack of appetite. Later signs may include multi-organ failure and bleeding.
Ebola is spread through direct contact with blood or body fluids including but not limited to urine, saliva, feces, vomit, and semen of a person who is infected with the disease. The virus is not spread through the air or by water, or in general, food, according to the CDC.
All Marines and sailors will be tracked and monitored for 21 day following their travel to Africa, the message stated.