1950. Study of the type of leprosy endemic to the Trust Territory wa
carried on both at the Trust Territory leprosarium (Tinian) and at th
National Leprosarium, Carville, Louisiana.”
Specific research problems involved the study of filariasis anc
encephalitis. The high incidence of filariasis in the Truk Distnet
20 to 35 percent, discovered during the WHIDBEYsurvey, requirec:
that adequate controls be provided to control the spread of the disease.
In the spring of 1951 an epidemiological research team was sent to
Truk © and directed to: (1) determine the geographical limits of the
disease; (2) identifythe species of etiologic agent andvector present m
various areas; (3) develop effective measures for controlling the insea
vector; (4) explore methods of treating existing filarial infections.
The research unit had not completed its study by the time of transfer
of administration to the Department of the Interior.
The first investigation of a suspected encephalitis which appeared
on Ponape in late 1946 and reached epidemic proportions in 1947 and
1948 was made by Commander R. A. Mount, MC, USN. His report
characterized the illness as an “encephalitis, believed to be a virus
disease, and believed to be transmitted by mosquitoes” and recom
mended quarantine measures to curb its spread.“ Asa result, traved
to and from Ponape wasrestricted for several months beginning
December 16, 1947. Serum specimens collected during the investigation were sent to the Hooper Foundation of the University of California where complement-fixation and neutralizationtests were carried
out.”
A more thorough investigation of the disease was conducted in
January and February 1948 by an epidemiological team from the Naval
Medical Research Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, consisting of Commander Herbert S, Hurlburt, MSC, USN, Lieutenant (j. g.) Charles
A. Batley, MC, USNR, and John I. Thomas, Hospital Corpsman, USN.
Serological work, except for certain preliminarytrials on Ponape, was
done at Bethesda. The disease, previously undescribed, was named
“eosinophilic meningitis” and summarizedthus:
1. A relatively mild disease characterized by headache, vertigo, nausea.
vomiting and pain in the postertor nuchal and lumbar regions was found
to occur in epidemic proportions on the island of Ponape, Eastern Carotines.
“ Supra, p. gob ff.
" CinCPacFit TAD orders No. T-299 ser P~13.4 dtd 12 Feb §1.
“Mount, R. A.. “Encephalitis Outbreak on Ponape, Eastern Caroline tslands.” dtd & Oct 47.
” Hammon. W. McD., “PonapeIsland Encephalitis Investigation.” dtd 24 Dee 47.
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