INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana National Guard is awaiting new lab results to determine if pinworm has infected soldiers training in Fort Knox, Kentucky and Camp Atterbury, which is near Edinburgh, Indiana.
The Centers for Disease Control says a pinworm can lead people to complain about teeth grinding, and insomnia due to disturbed sleep, or even abdominal pain or appendicitis.
RTV6 has been receiving emails from the families of soldiers since Monday. All asked to remain anonymous out of fear that their family member could get in trouble if they spoke out. One family has medicine on standby once her child returns home.
The parent said a doctor’s appointment is set up for next week.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the National Guard said test results show no confirmed diagnosis of pinworm at Fort Knox or Camp Atterbury.
Pinworm is an intestinal infection.
The CDC has a full section on pinworm. Read about it here.
The full statement from the National Guard is below:
“The Indiana National Guard is aware of an issue that soldiers with the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducting training at both Fort Knox and Camp Atterbury have reported seeing worms in their stool.
These soldiers were evaluated by both unit medical personnel and installation preventive medicine. An initial diagnosis based on a visual exam was made that pointed to the possibility of pinworms, which is a common worm infection. Stool samples from those Soldiers were then sent to the lab for testing in order to confirm the initial diagnosis. Shortly after this, other Soldiers stated that they were experiencing similar issues.
In order to take immediate precaution, and prevent the spread of possible pinworm, the Preventive Medicine personnel at Fort Knox, in coordination with the Unit leadership, took preventive measures to ensure that this potential issue didn’t spread any further than possible. These measures included bringing in soldiers from their field training environment and into barracks where they could shower and adequately clean themselves and their equipment. Outside bathroom facilities, or port-a-johns, were disinfected and sanitized.
As a precaution, several Soldiers were given an over the counter medication designed to eliminate the pinworm and prevent its spread to others. This medication can cause side effects such as diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting and a skin rash.
Preventive medicine personnel with Ireland Army Community Hospital located at Ft. Knox, have also visited the units out in the field, ensuring that all Soldiers are aware of personal hygiene steps that they can take in order to prevent the spread of this potential issue.
Per Col. Kathi Hill, Deputy Commander for preventive medicine at Ireland Army Community Hospital, and confirmation from lab results, it has been determined that the stool samples tested do not show pinworm.
The safety and welfare of all Indiana National Guard service members is our highest priority and we will continue to closely monitor this situation and provide our Soldiers with the appropriate level of care both during their remaining time at training or after they return home if necessary.”
