The Air Force makes an extraordinary effort to prevent heat-related illnesses associated with basic military training (BMT) in south Texas. However, inadequate hydration can still contribute to lost training time and qualified trainees leaving military service without completing BMT. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether equipping BMTs with back-mounted hydration systems (BM) is better than the standard-issue (SI) canteens with respect to hydration status. Male BMTs were randomly assigned to either BM (n = 40) or SI (n = 38) groups. Baseline values were assessed at week 0 before any physical readiness training (PRT). Subsequent data collection took place in the a.m. before PRT and in the p.m. before dinner the first 3 weeks, and during the 5 weeks of training. BMT total body water (TBW) and body composition were assessed by bioelectrical impedance. Saliva osmolality and total protein concentration were also determined. Hydration status increased daily in BM and SI and was well maintained over the duration of BMT. A significant hydration effect (p < 0.05) was observed for average daily increases in TBW and body weight with BM gaining more compared to SI. Average a.m. TBW was 0.3-0.8 L greater in SI versus BM (p < 0.05). Our findings demonstrate that adequate hydration status is maintained during Air Force BMT in a hot environment using either hydration mode and therefore do not support widespread issuance of the BM system on the premise of improved hydration during USAF BMT military training.
Introduction The emergence of Zika virus disease (ZVD) in areas of military operations provided a new opportunity for force health protection. ZVD infection had an estimated 4:1 asymptomatic-to-symptomatic ratio and can cause neurologic sequelae. Materials and Methods We provide a brief report of a field investigation utilizing laboratory-based surveillance and survey instruments to characterize ZVD risk among personnel deployed to the Dominican Republic in support of Operation NEW HORIZONS (NH). Additionally, we describe a cluster of 3 ZVD cases among 8 aircrew on a short mission to St. Croix (U.S. Virgin Islands). Results Following Operation NH, 6 of a total 189 deployed cohort members tested positive for ZVD by immunoglobulin M and confirmatory plaque reduction neutralization test (3.2%). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction testing in urine or serum was positive in 4 of those 6 cases. All 6 cases reported at least one symptom, with 5 reporting subjective fever and arthralgia and 4 reporting rash. Cases were less likely to have air-conditioned living quarters (odds ratio = 0.1; 95% confidence interval 0.02–0.77; P < 0.03), but were otherwise similar to non-cases. Likewise, in St. Croix, 3/8 tested positive by immunoglobulin M and plaque reduction neutralization test for an attack rate of 38%. Similar to Operation NH, all three cases were symptomatic with subjective fever (67%), arthralgia (67%), and/or rash (100%). Conclusions This field investigation identified differing, mission location-dependent ZVD attack rates and a 0:9 asymptomatic-to-symptomatic case ratio. As this was unexpected based on a previous report of a 4:1 ratio, it emphasizes the need to be cautious before generalizing outbreak characteristics between populations while also offering additional practical experience for force health protection.
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