Earlier quoted context omitted.
Exactly. My take is that these reports are of work-place injuries. Something that the Government employees are doing, or have had done to them, is causing the problems. Examples from the past: Gulf Syndrome in the 1990s caused by anti-gas warfare antidotes, and the Agent Orange cancers and other birth-deformities inflicted on VietNam vets.
Two cases in war zones. How would you explain this happening in a neutral city to civilians?
Exactly my point, really. There's something different about the Government employees, that isn't happening to the (millions of) civilians around them, in the middle of cities which are as likely to be those of 'friendly' nations as those of 'adversary' nations.