BACKGROUND: New recruits within military barracks present conditions favorable for the spread of respiratory pathogens. However, respiratory pathogen transmission in such confined settings in the tropics has not been well studied. METHODS: Recruits in four successive Royal Thai Army basic training classes living in military barracks were monitored for symptoms of @entity683 ( @entity683 ) or @entity1729 ( @entity1729 ). Classes 1 and 2 were also monitored after basic training. Nasal/throat swabs from acute illnesses were collected and tested by influenza RT-PCR (all four classes). In addition, class 1 had multiplex PCR performed along with analysis of bed locations within the barracks. RESULTS: @entity683 / @entity1729 rates ranged from 4.7 to 6.9 per 100 recruit-weeks in the four classes and generally decreased during the course of basic training (p<0.05 in three of four classes). Rates during basic training were 1.7 (95% CI: 1.29, 2.29) and 2.5 (95% CI: 1.5, 4.1) times higher than after basic training (classes 1 and 2, respectively). In class 1, coronavirus, @entity15609 virus and rhinovirus were the most commonly identified respiratory pathogens; only one @entity281 was detected in all four classes. Bed locations of @entity1729 / @entity683 cases in class 1 tended to be in closer proximity to each other. CONCLUSION: Basic training recruits in military barracks in the tropics had high rates of acute @entity1576 with illness patterns consistent with external seeding followed by substantial internal transmission. Our findings may contribute to control measures in similar confined settings both within and outside the military. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Elevated transmission of XXXX among new recruits in military barracks in Thailand.

@entity15609 :: ('MESH:D018184', 'Disease') :: ['parainfluenza'] @entity683 :: ('MESH:D007251', 'Disease') :: ['influenza-like illness', 'ILI'] @entity281 :: ('MESH:D007239', 'Disease') :: ['influenza PCR-positive infection'] @entity1576 :: ('MESH:D012131', 'Disease') :: ['respiratory illnesses'] @entity1729 :: ('MESH:D012141', 'Disease') :: ['upper respiratory illness', 'URI']
@entity1729 :: (MESH:D012141,Disease) :: ['upper respiratory illness']
