Coronavirus Risk to Military Personnel Low, But Advise Precautions: measures DOD is Taking

Officials Say Coronavirus Risk to Personnel Low, But Advise Precautions

JAN. 31, 2020 | BY DAVID VERGUN, DOD NEWS

The Defense Department is working with other government agencies in responding to the coronavirus outbreak.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is closely monitoring an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a new coronavirus, named 2019-nCoV, that was first detected in Wuhan City, in China’s Hubei province and which continues to expand, according to the CDC’s website.

Chinese health officials have reported thousands of infections with 2019-nCoV in China, with the virus reportedly spreading from person to person in many parts of that country. Infections with 2019-nCoV, most of them associated with travel from Wuhan, also are being reported in a growing number of international locations, including the United States, according to the CDC.

March Air Reserve Base in California and DOD stand ready to provide housing support to Department of Health and Human Services personnel as they work to handle the arrival of nearly 200 people, including State Department employees, their families and U.S. citizens evacuated from Wuhan, Alyssa Farah, DOD press secretary, said in a statement today.

“DOD has assessed this support will not negatively impact readiness or critical operations, and we stand ready for their arrival,” she stated.

HHS is responsible for all care of the evacuees, she noted. Therefore, DOD personnel will not be directly in contact with the evacuees, and evacuees will not have access to any base location other than their assigned housing.

Should routine monitoring of the evacuees identify ill individuals, HHS has procedures in place to transport them to a local civilian hospital, she continued.

“DOD will work closely with our interagency partners and continue to monitor the situation,” Farah said in her statement. The department’s primary responsibility at this time is the safety of our force, our families and our base communities.”

The CDC noted on its website that it is closely monitoring the situation and working with the World Health Organization and state and local public health partners to respond to this emerging public health threat and contain it.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats and bats, according to the CDC. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then spread. That was the case with the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronaviruses.

Although the risk of contracting the new coronavirus virus is low, Centers for Disease Control officials said, they recommend getting an influenza vaccine and taking everyday preventive actions to help stop the spread of germs.

Further guidance includes handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and if not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Also, avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands and avoid close contact with those who are sick. Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces should also be done.

The Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs is working with the Joint Staff and others for any potential increased screening of DOD populations at ports of entry.

“I approved a directive apprising our forces about precautions they should take, how to recognize the signs and symptoms of the virus,” Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper  said yesterday. “The Department of Defense continues to work closely with our interagency partners as we monitor the situation and protect our service members and their families, which is my highest priority.”

The novel coronavirus, or 2019 nCoV, continues to spread, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting several thousand cases worldwide, including cases in the United States, according to force health protection guidance from Matthew P. Donavan, performing the duties of the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness.

The State Department has issued a “do not travel” order to China.

DOD officials said the department will work closely with interagency efforts and follow CDC guidance regarding the outbreak.

The Military Health System is prepared to execute updated guidance due to the fluidity of the situation, officials said. Due to the dynamic nature of this outbreak, DOD guidance recommends that people frequently check the CDC website for updates. If DOD personnel have returned from travel to China in the last 14 days or had close contact with someone infected with 2019-nCoV and feel sick with fever, cough or difficulty breathing, CDC directs seeking medical care right away, calling ahead to provide information about recent travel and symptoms so preparations can be made in advance for the visit. Also, CDC officials said they avoid contact with others.

There are no specific treatments for the 2019-nCoV, but treatment for people with severe cases would include care to support vital organ functions, officials said.