SAN DIEGO–Diarrheal illness has affected approximately 302 recruits at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, base officials say.
The majority of the more than 5,500 recruits currently in training are unaffected and training. The source of the outbreak is under investigation and some of the cases are infected with the Shiga toxin causing E.coli bacteria, according to base officials.
“Our immediate focus is identifying, isolating and treating recruits who present symptoms,” said Brig. Gen. William Jurney, commanding general, MCRD San Diego and the Western Recruiting Region. “We are working to identify the cause of the sickness, making sure our affected recruits can return to training as soon as possible and continuing training for recruits not influenced.”
Cases have presented at both MCRD San Diego and the command’s field training facilities at Edson Range on Camp Pendleton. Limited cases were reported in the previous six days with a spike in cases reported yesterday. Ten recruits have been admitted to an off-base medical facility while the remainder are being cared for aboard the base.
The command is currently investigating the source of the outbreak, but precautions have been added, including separation and treatment protocols which isolates recruits presenting symptoms and limits interaction with unaffected recruits, and increased hygiene requirements focusing on handwashing. Base facilities will have proper sanitation and hygiene in all areas.
