- Dozens of soldiers who served in Iraq are to sue the
Government, claiming they are suffering from a new form of Gulf War syndrome.
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- Multiple vaccinations given in the run-up to the conflict
are being blamed for chronic pains, stomach problems, rashes, swelling,
fever, depression and anxiety.
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- Lawyers and medical experts say the symptoms are identical
to those which affected thousands of veterans after the 1991 Gulf conflict.
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- The Observer has learnt that 13 soldiers have launched
legal actions against the Ministry of Defence over what is being called
Gulf War II syndrome. A similar number of 'robust' cases are to be launched
in weeks.
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- In addition, a former MoD employee has obtained the medical
records of another 40 Iraq veterans also suffering similar symptoms. Each
case could cost the Government £1 million in damages.
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- Mark McGhee of Manchester-based Linda Myers Solicitors,
said servicemen were coming forward all the time. 'Previously healthy servicemen
received inoculations and suffered serious reactions. Now their jobs, livelihoods
and their families are being affected,' he said.
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- The allegations come ahead of the inquest tomorrow into
the death of Major Ian Hill, former chairman of the National Gulf Veterans'
and Families' Association. Hill suffered a severe reaction to vaccinations
he was given and was sent home from the Gulf. However, Army doctors were
unable to determine what was wrong with him.
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- The father-of-four subsequently suffered from a range
of illnesses including Q fever, an infection that stops the brain producing
cells quickly enough to replace those that die. The MoD disputed that his
illness was a result of service and he was denied a pension until shortly
before his death in March 2001 at the age of 54.
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- At the two-day inquest in Warrington, lawyers will argue
his deployment to the Gulf and subsequent illnesses contributed to his
early death. More than 550 veterans have died since the first Gulf war.
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- A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said 12 servicemen
from the latest conflict had signed up to a health assessment programme
while 7,000 former Gulf veterans are to be screened.
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- Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited
2003
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- http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,6903,1091398,00.html
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