The Defense Department Wednesday released two more case narratives related to the Department of Defense's ongoing investigation into Gulf War illnesses.
Case narratives and information papers are part of the Defense Department's continuing effort to inform the public of its efforts to better understand the nature and possible causes of the illnesses being experienced by many Gulf War veterans.
One narrative is a case history of three events occuring at the port city of Al Jubayl, Saudi Arabia during the Persian Gulf War.
The other narrative concerns analysis a sample reported to be a piece of a SCUD missile hit by a PATRIOT missile near King Fahd Military City on or about Jan. 19, 1991.
Considering all available evidence to date, the narratives conclude that there was "definitely not" chemical warfare agents present in two of the Al Jubayl events and that it was "unlikely" chemical warfare agents were present in the third Al Jubayl event or on the SCUD piece.
"Case narratives are not intended as final reports," said Bernard Rostker, special assistant for Gulf War illnesses.
"These are interim reports about what we currently know about the certain events at Al Jubayl and about the analysis of a reported SCUD piece." Other narratives about key events and issues surrounding the Gulf War experience are being prepared and will be released as soon as they are completed.
These reports, as well as future narratives, along with the documentary evidence and personal interviews will be posted on the GulfLINK Internet site (www.gulflink.osd.mil).
In addition to informing the public, narratives are intended to open up a dialogue with Gulf War veterans who may have additional information or who can clarify these events are encouraged to call the Gulf War incident hotline at 1-800-472-6719.
Gulf War veterans experiencing health problems are encouraged to receive a free health screening through the DoD's or Department of Veterans' Affairs health registries.
Those individuals still on active duty, military retirees, or those affiliated with the Reserve components can arrange a medical examination through the Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation Program at 1-800-796-9699.
Those no longer affiliated with DoD, including reserve personnel, can arrange a medical examination through the VA's Persian Gulf Registry at 1-800-749-8387.
