Marine Corps gaining control of bacteria outbreak at recruit depot

Tuesday December 17, 2002

SAN DIEGO (AP) An outbreak of a potentially lethal bacteria at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot appears to have peaked, with dozens of recruits being released from a hospital Tuesday, the depot's commanding officer said.

``We do have good news to report. There were no hospital admissions today, `` Maj. Gen. Jan Huly said.

Only 24 people were expected to remain hospitalized Wednesday, he said.

Since the outbreak was discovered last week, more than 100 recruits were hospitalized, many for upper respiratory ailments that Huly said were not necessarily related to Strep A.

Autopsy results were still pending on an 18-year-old recruit, Pvt. Miguel Zavala of Greenfield, who died Sunday, just hours after he sought treatment for a rash that spread quickly over his body.

``His death does appear to be linked to either the Strep A or meningococcal bacteria,'' Huly said.

On Sunday, about 3,500 recruits and instructors were inoculated with antibiotics as a precaution.

Huly on Monday ordered a three-day suspension in physical training to prevent recruits and instructors from overexerting themselves and getting sick. Authorities will consider ending the suspension on Thursday, after doctors reevaluate the health of the recruits.

The number of recruits reporting to sick call Tuesday was 87, down 242 Monday. One recruit with a confirmed Strep A infection remained in critical condition in the intensive care unit, said Lt. Beatriz Yarrish.

Strep A is a bacteria that in its most common form of illness causes strep throat. But in extreme cases it can simply overwhelm the body until organs cease functioning. It can also cause necrotizing fasciitis, a deadly flesh-eating disease.

Huly said there were ``no indications'' Zavala had the flesh-eating strain of the bacteria.

Zavala was the third recruit to die at the base in as many weeks, although officials say the deaths were unrelated.

Pvt. Neal Edwards, 18, of St. Clair, Mo., died Nov. 24 of a heart ailment after completing an obstacle course, and Pvt. Samuel J. Bruss, 19, of Kenosha, Wis., died Thursday when his lungs filled with fluid during survival training at the base swimming pool, officials said.

(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)