Page 145 - JSOM Winter 2021

Measles Outbreak 2021
According to the CDC, an outbreak means more disease than
expected. Measles is extremely contagious. Around 9 of 10
people who are not protected will become infected following
exposure to the measles virus. Measles outbreaks are declared
when the number of cases reported in an area is higher than the
expected number of cases. COVID-19 is increasing the risk of
measles outbreaks; 22 million infants did not get their measles
shots last year due to the pandemic. As of November 18, 2021,
a total of 47 measles cases were reported by 4 US jurisdictions. Photos courtesy of Lt Colonel David E. Bowles and Colonel James
A. Swaby USAF Institute for Operational Health
Almost 41 countries have already put off, or may put off, their
measles campaigns for 2020 or 2021 due to the COVID-19 public dissemination or sale in any form.) Available at https://
pandemic. This increases the risk of bigger outbreaks around www.med.navy.mil/Portals/62/Documents/NMFA/NMCPHC
the world, including the US. Measles can come to the US from /root/Field%20Activities/Pages/NEPMU6/Operational%20
anywhere in the world. Outbreaks can happen in areas where Support/Entomology/HARMFUL-ANIMALS-FIELD-GUIDE.pdf
people may be unvaccinated or undervaccinated, including the
US. Right now, measles outbreaks are occurring in every region In addition, the website for the Armed Forces Pest Management
of the world. Measles can enter the US through infected travel- Board (AFPMB) (https://www.acq.osd.mil/eie/afpmb/) is avail-
ers entering or traveling through to the US as well as through able to support the AFPMB’s mission to ensure that environmen-
infected US travelers returning from other countries. tally sound and effective programs are present to prevent pests
and disease vectors from adversely affecting DoD operations.
The Whitest, and Coolest, Paint 21-606: Casualty Operations for Special Operations During
(Purdue University/Jared Pike) Xiulin Ruan, a Purdue University This paper illustrates the challenges associated with casualty
Large-Scale Combat Operations (CAC login required)
care for SOF in LSCO and clearly defines the role of the Reli-
professor of mechanical
gious Support (RS) Team in ensuring proper honor of the fallen
engineering, holds up his lab’s
and adequate care for the unit and family. It addresses tempo-
sample of the whitest paint on
rary interment, isolated interment, hasty burial, family notifica-
record.
tion, and recovery of remains through disinterment.
From the Center for Army Lessons Learned (CALL) quarterly
In an effort to curb global warming, Purdue University engineers newsletter (4th QTR, FY21).
have created the whitest paint yet. Coating buildings with this
paint may one day cool them off enough to reduce the need ARSOF in the Arctic
for air conditioning, the researchers say. The researchers believe Few organizations across the Joint Force can replicate ARSOF’s
that this white may be the closest equivalent of the blackest ability to execute in extreme cold weather. Our specialized ca-
black, “Vantablack,” which absorbs up to 99.9% of visible light. pabilities, innovative approaches, agility, and superbly trained
The new whitest paint formulation reflects up to 98.1% of sun- professionals are vital to the Joint Force’s ability to compete,
light – compared with the 95.5% of sunlight reflected by the fight, and win in the Arctic. ARSOF understands the complexity
researchers’ previous ultra-white paint – and sends infrared heat of the Arctic environment including the difficulty to generate
away from a surface at the same time. For more information, and sustain operational reach. To overcome these challenges,
see https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2021/Q2/the- we are fully committed to enhancing our capabilities through
whitest-paint-is-here-and-its-the-coolest.-literally..html training, exercises, and partnerships. (CALL, November 2021)
Lead Levels in Soldiers Trauma Hemostasis and Oxygenation Research
Interesting results are presented in (THOR) Network
Hyten MS, Slusher JS, Mease LE, Col- The THOR Network is an international multidisciplinary group
burn ZT. A retrospective cohort study of investigators that aims to improve outcomes and safety in
of blood lead levels among Special patients with severe traumatic injury through
Operations Forces Soldiers exposed improved monitoring and resuscitation tech-
to lead at a firing range in Germany. niques. The research the network performs
MSMR. 2021 Mar;28(3):23-26. PMID: 33773569. https://health includes both prehospital and hospital
.mil/News/Articles/2021/03/01/Blood-levels-MSMR-Mar-2021 phases of care with attention to both military
and civilian applications. The THOR Network
Field Guide to Venomous and Medically Important held its first Remote Damage Control Resusci-
Invertebrates Affecting Military Operations: Identification, tation (RDCR) symposium in June 2011 focusing
Biology, Symptoms, Treatment on prehospital use of fresh whole blood. The objective of this
This 142-page field guide is intended to be starting point, a meeting was to bring together investigators who were inter-
primary and expeditious information source for aiding deployed ested in analyzing the efficacy and safety of FWB for patients
military personnel in the initial steps of pest identification re- with severe traumatic hemorrhagic shock and to determine the
lated to surveillance and public health matters associated with initial steps in developing a research program in this area. The
invertebrates of medical importance. (This field guide is in- 2021 conference was canceled due to COVID, but the network
tended for use by military and civilian employees of the United plans to resume the conference in Norway, June 26–29, 2022.
States Department of Defense only and is not authorized for (https://rdcr.org/about/about-thor/)

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