Emergence of norovirus GI.2 outbreaks in military camps in Singapore.

Background: Simultaneous acute gastroenteritis (AGE) outbreaks occurred at two military camps. This study details the epidemiological findings, explores possible origins, and discusses preventive measures.

Methods: Investigations included attack rate surveys, symptom surveys, hygiene inspections, and the testing of water, food, and stool samples.

Medical planning for mass-participation running events: a 3-year review of a half-marathon in Singapore.

Background: Systematically planning appropriate medical coverage for mass-participation running events is a challenge that has received relatively little attention in the medical literature, despite its potentially severe consequences. In particular, the literature lacks quantitative information on running events that medical planners can utilize for decisions on medical resource allocation and deployment.

Methods: Using a case-study approach, this study provides a detailed quantitative medical services utilization profile for the Singapore Army Half-Marathon, constructed from participant and casualty data spanning three years and comprising over 80,000 data points.

Radiological incident preparedness: planning at the local level.

Radiological terrorism has been recognized as a probable scenario with high impact. Radiological preparedness planning at the federal and state levels has been encouraging, but translating complex doctrines into operational readiness at the local level has proved challenging. Based on the authors' experience with radiological response planning for the City of Baltimore, this article describes an integrated approach to municipal-level radiological emergency preparedness planning, provides information on resources that are useful for radiological preparedness planning, and recommends a step-by-step process toward developing the plan with relevant examples from the experience in Baltimore.