---

Peacekeeping Operations

Answer

The Ministry of Defence records instances of heat illness, as part of its monitoring of climatic injury. Heat illness has traditionally been divided into heat exhaustion and heat stroke, but in practice it is difficult to define the division between the two. Heat illness is therefore used to cover a continuum of illness ranging from mild symptoms such as muscular weakness, headache and excess fatigue to more serious outcomes such as collapse, coma and death.The following table shows the instances of heat illness that have required attendance at a Field Hospital for Operation Telic since 2003 and Operation Herrick since reporting began in August 2006:

	Operation Telic	Operation Herrick
2003	804	n/a
2004	130	n/a
2005	62	n/a
2006	99	¹19
2007	107	62
2008²	2	5
¹ Data collection did not begin in Afghanistan until August 2006. ² 1 January to 31 March 2008.

This table updates the figures for 2006 and 2007 given in a previous answer to a question on heat related illness—21 April 2008, Official Report, column 1637W. Both sets of figures were provided by Defence Analytical Services and Advice (DASA); however the numbers in the earlier answer were based on field hospital admissions records. The data in this answer have been extracted from the Operational Emergency Department Attendance register (OpEDAR). As OpEDAR covers all attendances, regardless of whether they are admitted, DASA has advised that it provides a more comprehensive figure for heat illness.These figures provide an indication of instances of heat illness. It is likely that there have been other cases of heat injury which could not be identifed from the available records as they may have been recorded under a variety of symptoms (e.g. dehydration, headache etc.) common to other illnesses. In Iraq, the temperature and humidity can change very quickly, increasing the likelihood of sudden instances of heat illness.Various steps are taken to prevent heat related illnesses. Commanders are provided with heat illness prevention instructions in order to monitor heat stress. Temperature and humidity levels are forecast daily as part of standard operating procedures thereby allowing commanders to schedule workloads accordingly. Where operationally feasible, although clearly this will not be possible in every single location, air conditioning is used in accommodation, business offices and facilities such as welfare, catering and medical facilities in the main camps in operational theatres. Canteen areas have large fridges which are stocked with a plentiful supply of cold water.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

481 c640-1W; 209647

Session

2007-08

Subjects

Iraq Peacekeeping operations

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk