Several US troops in Afghanistan are experiencing flu-like symptoms but have tested negative for influenza, a US lawmaker said raising the possibility that they may have coronavirus.
Mark Pocan, a Republican congressman, criticized that the troops, who are 75 miles from Iran where the coronavirus is rampant, have not been tested for coronavirus, Military.com reported.
He said that he learned of the situation after one of the soldiers’ families contacted his office.
“If we’re not providing proper health care to military personnel, especially so close to where there is a real flare of the pandemic near Iran … that would be awful,” Pocan told Military.com.
The congressman declined to name the military base in Afghanistan where the troops are sick, citing concerns the service member’s family had about coming forward. Herat province in Afghanistan has half of 10 confirmed coronavirus cases and US has troops operating there.
Pocan said he hasn’t received clarity from the Defense Department on whether test kits are being provided to troops overseas. He said he finds the fact that he can’t get a basic answer to that question for troops serving in far-flung locations “very concerning.”
“If anyone is putting their life on the line for us overseas in the military, we really should be providing the health care that they deserve,” Pocan told Military.com. “We fear they’re not [getting] that.”
A US defense official told 1TV that US Forces in Afghanistan have made arrangements with a military medical facility in Germany and other labs to test for COVID-19.
According to the official, if their medical staff suspects someone could be infected or meets certain criteria, they will send a sample to the lab.
US Forces have access to medical care and they are prepared with quarantine and isolation facilities if they need them, the official said.
