Approximately 214 recruits at both MCRD San Diego and the command’s field training facilities at Edson Range, Camp Pendleton, Calif., are symptomatic of E.Coli exposure with diarrheal illness as of Nov. 1. Of the 214 recruits undergoing treatment, 26 are new cases among the more than 5500 recruits in training. Twelve recruits are admitted to an off-base medical facility while the remainder are being cared for aboard the base.
“The command’s full effort is focused on caring for those recruits who are affected, ensuring we limit any spread of the illness, and identifying the source of the infection,” said Brig. Gen. William Jurney, commanding general, MCRD San Diego and the Western Recruiting Region.
The below updated actions highlight current efforts in addition to what has been previously released:
– Samples and specimens have been forwarded for testing to the US Army Public Health Command located aboard Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX, where they will be tested and processed by the Food Analysis and Diagnostic Lab to determine the cause of the illness.
– Preventative Medicine Units at Naval Medical Center San Diego and Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton continue to inspect all messing facilities for cleanliness, food storage, and handling procedures.
– Food menu alterations have been adopted for infected personnel to better facilitate maintaining diet and recovery.
Family members will be contacted by the command if a recruit is hospitalized or his graduation date changes due to missed training resulting from sickness. Every effort will be made to allow recruits to complete missed training with their original training unit in order to remain on track for their planned graduation date.