Lesson 1: Introduction to Disease Transmission and Epidemiology

1-1

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1-1. GENERAL

Disease and non-combat injury have plagued military commanders since time immemorial. In every war or combat action in which the United States (US) has ever participated, disease and non-combat injury have contributed far more to the ineffectiveness of troops than have losses due to enemy action. A commonly held misconception is that since the advent of antibiotics and advanced medical techniques, disease and accident are no longer matters of major concern. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Statistics show that during the heaviest periods of combat action since the outbreak of World War II, hospital admissions caused by disease and non-combat injury have exceeded those caused by battle injury by a ratio of from 3:1 to 19:1

(Table 1-1). Prior to World War II, these ratios were even less favorable. Much credit for the improvement in the situation must be given to epidemiologists who discovered the causes of many of the diseases that had ravaged troops for centuries. As more is learned in the future, the number of needless deaths and illnesses will hopefully be further reduced. The key to opening the door to further discovery of methods of disease control is a thorough knowledge of the various agents of disease and the nature of disease transmission.

Table 1-1. US Army hospital admissions during selected war periods.

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