title: Surveillance for febrile respiratory infections during Cobra Gold 2003.
abstract: The Naval Health Research Center conducted laboratory-based surveillance for febrile respiratory infections at the 2003 Cobra Gold Exercise in Thailand. Seventeen individuals met the case definition for febrile respiratory illness, and diagnostic specimens were obtained from 16. Laboratory testing identified influenza A for 44%; sequence analysis demonstrated that these were Fujian-like influenza strains, which represented the predominant strain found globally in 2003/2004. Other pathogens identified included coronavirus OC43, respiratory syncytial virus, and rhinovirus. Logistical challenges were overcome as laboratory-supported febrile respiratory illness surveillance was conducted during a military training exercise. With heightened concern over the potential for another global influenza pandemic, such surveillance could prove critical for the detection of emerging influenza and respiratory pathogen strains with potential for importation to the United States.
authors.affiliation: Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA 92186-5122, USA.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fuller
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hanley
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schultz
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Nikki E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Freed
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: Viseth
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ngauy
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stoebner
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Russell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008887:Military Medicine; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology