Israel under threat of biological warfare - The reactions of our patients during the 1998 Persian Gulf crisis

Background and Objectives: During February 1998, there was heightened tensi on in the Persian Gulf area. Iraq's ruler, Saddam Hussein, threatened Israe li citizens with the use of biological weapons. This study observed the use of health care services by patients visiting our clinics during this perio d. Methods: During the period of February 17, 1998, through March 1, 1998, 12 family physicians classified all clinic visits as "related" or "unrelate d" to the crisis. The participating clinics were situated in (A) high-risk and (B) low-risk areas, according to their location as related to missile h its during the 1991 Gulf War. Results: A total of 1,841 visits were recorde d during the crisis period (February 17-23). There were 934 visits in Area A and 907 in Area B. Overall, 194 visits related to the crisis were recorde d, of which 155 were in Area A. The rate of crisis-related visits was highe r in Area A (16.6% versus 3.4%). There were more visits for authorizations for special masks (8.2% versus .8%), requests for information (3.9% versus 1.3%), and tranquilizers (2.1% versus .5%). In the period subsequent to the agreement reached on February 24, crisis-related visits declined sharply i n both areas. Conclusions: During the crisis, there was an increase in visi ts related to the threat of biological warfare. The phenomenon was more pro nounced in areas that had sustained missile hits during the 1991 Gulf War.