Written question asked by Bill Wiggin (Conservative) on Tuesday, 1 July 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 7 July 2003. It was answered by Ivor Caplin (Labour) on Monday, 7 July 2003 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the contraction, spread and treatment of (a) severe diarrhoea and (b) cholera amongst the troops in Iraq.

Answer: Mr. Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the contraction, spread and treatment of (a) severe diarrhoea and (b) cholera among the troops in Iraq. [123595] Mr. Caplin: There have been no cases of cholera among United Kingdom personnel in Iraq. Diarrhoeal diseases have occurred at a level commensurate with a large-scale deployment to a country such as Iraq. Most incidents have been viral and caused by a number of factors such as flies, personnel living in close proximity to each other and lapses in individual personal hygiene. Systems are in place to ensure food safety and to promote personal hygiene.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 123595; 408 c588W;408 c586W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Armed forces Armed conflict Diseases Iraq Disease control Iraq conflict Cholera Diarrhoea
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk