Killer TB strain loose in South Africa

Post #267,159 by inthane-chan 9/10/06 11:28:32 AM Reply	Killer TB strain loose in South Africa [link\|http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=14&click_id=125&art_id=vn20060910094616232C393327\|http://www.iol.co.za...0094616232C393327] XBR TB a new ultravirulent version that is resistant to treatment and spreads easier to others vs the older TB viruses. "XDR TB resists all drugs. It is lethal. Life expectancy is 16 days to a month after infection." Hurt me if you must, but let the duckie go!
Post #267,182 by drewk 9/11/06 9:12:25 AM Reply	That's not good 16 days to a month ... and when do you become contagious? I'd like to know, because: Tuberculosis is airborne and stays in the air for four hours after an infected person leaves the room. Well, at least we're getting good reporting of the research, right? However, there was not a single representative of South Africa's National Department of Health present, reportedly under orders from Minister of Health Manto Tshabalala Msimang. Sources in her department claim she is furious that news of the extent of South Africa's XDR TB problem has leaked. Officials from her department have also phoned doctors at the 28 hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal which have or have had XDR TB-infected patients, and warned them not to speak to the media or to allow them onto their premises or to take photographs - or risk losing their jobs. Oh. :-( Well how bad is it, really, that she doesn't want anyone talking about it? About 75 percent of South Africans are TB-infected. Yeah, I guess if I were responsible for the health of my country, and three-quarters of its people had TB, I wouldn't want people talking to the press either. === Purveyor of Doc Hope's [link\|http://DocHope.com\|fresh-baked dog biscuits and pet treats]. [link\|http://DocHope.com\|http://DocHope.com]
Post #267,196 by dmcarls 9/11/06 11:27:09 AM Reply	And if that wasn't enough to worry about... [link\|http://www.ajc.com/today/content/epaper/editions/today/news_5430dba4748201210089.html\|http://www.ajc.com/t...748201210089.html] Exodus, morale shake CDC [...] "CDC is responsible for preventing and tackling outbreaks, bioterrorism and pandemics, along with the more routine, deadly threats of seasonal flu, HIV, rabies, injuries and obesity." [...] Dr. Stephen Cochi, a senior adviser in CDC's Global Immunization Division, said the agency's staff is proud of its history of successfully tackling public health problems. "The capacity of CDC to do that has been seriously eroded in a very short period of time," Cochi said. "The American people need to be concerned." Cochi, like others, said scientists are less empowered to make decisions, are discouraged from offering alternative approaches to solving problems, and face increased layers of bureaucracy that make it more difficult to do their jobs." more in the article...
Post #267,199 by drewk 9/11/06 11:39:47 AM Reply	Without reading TFA ... I'm guessing this has something to do with the current administration's general disdain for science. So am I right? Do I win a prize? === Purveyor of Doc Hope's [link\|http://DocHope.com\|fresh-baked dog biscuits and pet treats]. [link\|http://DocHope.com\|http://DocHope.com]
Post #267,209 by pwhysall 9/11/06 12:55:39 PM Reply	CDC? They've diversified! All I thought I had to worry about from them was Back Orifice... Peter [link\|http://www.no2id.net/\|Don't Let The Terrorists Win] [link\|http://www.kuro5hin.org\|There is no K5 Cabal] [link\|http://guildenstern.dyndns.org\|Home] Use P2P for legitimate purposes! [link\|http://kevan.org/brain.cgi?pwhysall\|A better terminal emulator]
Post #267,244 by Ashton 9/11/06 5:20:41 PM Reply	Parallels the disgruntled M$-blogs and their implications == when internal communications fail and Happy Talk from Suited-asses crosses a certain threshold. Doveri ni proverai deja vu "Suffice it to say that when respected employees of any organization decide to take to the streets, or design external blogs to voice frustrations and outrage, the commonly accepted avenues of internal communication have either lost their credibility, or broken down completely," said Alonso, a 23-year CDC employee. Gerberding declined to be interviewed about the trust issues being raised by her staff. Proof of harm? A lack of trust, an exodus of leaders and a major reorganization is a potentially dangerous mix, said Donald Kettl, director of the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania. "Can you spell FEMA? It's the same kind of issue that they faced," he said. "If there is a high level of conflict and tension, it makes it hard for people who need to, to work together --- and work well --- because they need trust," Kettl said. After 6 years of little-Jesus and his Machiavellian handlers -- is there even a smidgeon of Surprise! in this development? If all do Screech You must Impeach If any guts connect to any brains, still. cha cha cha Hah.
Post #267,210 by bepatient 9/11/06 1:09:07 PM Reply	Nothing at WHO or CDC web sites. Too much of today's music is fashionable crap dressed as artistry._{Adrian Belew}

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