Doctors say Gulf War veterans could be at higher risk for COVID-19

BUTTE, Mont. — From 1990 to 1991, United States soldiers went overseas to Kuwait with hopes for driving out Iraqi forces -- but 694,550 marched into a toxic warzone.

Roughly 250,000 walked out with an unknown health issue.

“Large amounts of insecticides, pesticides, burn pits vaccinations including anthrax, depleted uranium, and potentially the nerve agent sarin, as well as sand and dust particles and other local environmental pollution," said veteran Shane Liermann, who now works for the organization Disabled American Veterans as the deputy national legislative director for benefits.

During operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, troops on both sides fought two enemies -- a toxic environment and each other. 148 died on the battlefield, but survivors are now experiencing another battle -- their health.

“What we’ve learned over the years is that this is a result of toxic wounds," said Dr. Kimberly Sullivan, a research associate professor at Boston University School of Public Health, who has dedicated years to studying the impact of Gulf War on veterans. "These are chemical exposures veterans had during the war.”

Veterans can use the Veterans Affairs health care centers or receive benefits depending on the impact of service on their mental and physical health. However, Gulf War illness is still being studied.

Both Sullivan and Liermann agree respiratory conditions sustained from exposure in the Gulf War would leave veterans vulnerable to COVID-19.

“If the veterans have these preexisting conditions -- whether associated with their deployment, or not, they are going to be more susceptible," said Dr. Anays Sotolongo, the co-director of the Airborne Hazard and Burn Pit Center of Excellence at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. “We do know the studies -- this has been studied quite a bit -- indicate that these symptoms seem to be higher in veterans who have been deployed with veterans who have not been deployed."

One of the highest veteran populations in the U.S. is in Montana. According to the VA, it is estimated 33,000 veterans in Montana took part in the Gulf War.

"If you're a veteran who's not tied into the veteran community in some type of fashion, you're not a member of service organization, getting treatment or health care -- you might not be aware of these things," said Liermann. "That's not uncommon for veterans when they come back to separate themselves. So there probably is a percentage of the population that isn't aware of these exposures and the toxins impact on their health."

Montana is filled with rural towns with VA health care centers few and far between. In the middle of a pandemic, it can be tough for some to get help.

“We know that our veterans in our communities of color, veterans who are residing in more rural areas or may not have continued contact of medical care, veterans who are homeless, we know that they have been disproportionately affected by the COVID pandemic," said Sotolongo.

But it's not just COVID-19 that doctors are concerned about.

“We've recently looked at some questions about whether our veterans are developing -- in addition to Gulf War illness -- chronic disorder," said Sullivan. "Are they developing other chronic health issues at higher rates or earlier than we might expect, and we have found that is the case."

Long-term effects from the chemical exposure vary from veteran to veteran, and many are still unsure as to what that could mean for their future.

"If you take all of those chemicals together and if you take the nerve agents, along with the petroleum byproducts the depleted uranium, pesticides, vaccinations, anthrax," said Liermann. "You mix all of that up, we really don't know what -- that volatile chemical cocktail -- what kind of impact it would have on anybody's long term health of their immune system."

Sullivan noted that for those who do contract COVID-19 with symptoms of Gulf War illness, they find that the virus has a lasting effect. It puts many of these veterans into a group called long-haulers, those who feel the effects of COVID-19 long after having the virus.

If you or anyone you love is a veteran that has been impacted by COVID-19 or chemical exposure, we would love to hear your story. You can reach out to me at [email protected].