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Marines dealing with Strep A outbreak
From Barbara Starr
SAN DIEGO, California (CNN) -- At least 6 percent of the Marine recruits at a training depot here have come back positive for Strep A, a rare and serious bacterial infection, Marine officials announced Tuesday. Of 2,700 throat cultures taken Sunday, 185 were positive for Group A streptococcal bacteria, said Maj. Kim Miller. The disease is suspected in the death of Pvt. Miguel Zavala, an 18-year-old recruit who died Sunday of what doctors called an "unusual" bacterial infection. Zavala had reported to the clinic only that morning with a rash on his ankle, but the rash quickly spread and he died that afternoon. Officials said Zavala's case is consistent with Strep A. In the past two days, more than 320 recruits have reported to sick call with symptoms of infection. As of Tuesday afternoon, 51 people -- mostly recruits -- were hospitalized, said Capt. John Malone, hospital director of medical services. One was in critical condition with Strep A, Malone said. Most of the patients are improving on an antibiotics regimen, he said, and officials at the depot feel they have a handle on the mysterious outbreak. "We are making very good progress with this outbreak and we are pleased so far over the results that have occurred," Malone said. Strep A can cause different types of infections, either in the throat or on the skin. Common symptoms include fever, rash and chest pains. Streptococcal infections are transmitted with close contact and thrive in the close quarters in which the Marines train and live, according to the Marine Corps. Malone said there was no evidence of meningitis or necrotizing fasciitis -- also known as flesh-eating bacteria -- as a cause of Zavala's death. On Sunday, Marine officials decided to put a three-day hold on all physical training so recruits would not risk overexertion, which might make them more susceptible to infection. Instead of the swimming exercises, obstacle course running and martial arts training, recruits have classroom instruction, Maj. Gen. Jan Huly said. "It's like an athlete who's not feeling well and is just taking a couple days off from training," he said. Two other Marine recruits have died at the training base since November 23, but officials said the recruits did not have Strep A. One collapsed on an obstacle course and died of sudden cardiac arrest. The other died after advanced swimming exercises of pulmonary edema, or fluid in the lungs; the man had recently had a cold, which might have been a factor, officials said. Before the recent deaths, the last recruit to have died at the depot was in 1998. Now, with three deaths in the course of a few weeks, officials are concerned but feel they have the situation under control.
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