Severe acute pneumonitis among deployed U.S. military personnel--Southwest Asia, March-August 2003.

During March-August 2003, a total of 19 U.S. military personnel deployed in the Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility had bilateral pneumonitis requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation; two patients died. This report summarizes the results of the U.S. Army's investigation of these cases and describes the ongoing investigation to determine the cause(s). Cases of rapidly progressive respiratory failure among former or current CENTCOM personnel should be reported to state health departments and to the Department of Defense (DoD).