Posted on 01/25/2006 10:09:33 AM PST by UpTurn
The mystery rash and illness that has plagued thousands of people exposed to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina may have several names, and one of them is Parvovirus B-19.
The disease is nicknamed “Katrina Rash” and the “New Orleans Crud,” and has affected at least three Ruston-area first-responders who went to New Orleans to help in rescue and recovery efforts.
A Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Deputy, an Emergency Medical Technician and a Louisiana State Trooper all came down with variations of the ailment.
Missy Staples, a licensed vocational nurse from Glasgow, Ky., became ill after caring for a patient with similar symptoms. She says the ailment could become an epidemic.
“It is my belief that this mystery illness they speak of is Fifth’s Disease — a form of Parvo,” Staples said. “Yes, the same disease that kills dogs. Fifth’s Disease has the same characteristics these folks are suffering with and seems mysterious.”
Staples said human Parvo (Parvovirus B-19) usually strikes school-aged children and is easily cured — in childhood.
“Parvo is usually one of the viruses that hit school aged children, but with the conditions that were in New Orleans and the other hurricane-stricken areas, I feel it may be rampant,” Staples said. “And remember, the children were all removed from those areas. There were no children for the virus to hit. It has most likely changed itself to stay alive in the affected areas. Viruses replicate and change on a very quick basis to continue their lives, meaning it will be harder to kill out. What New Orleans and other areas need is a really hard, freezing winter, although I do realize the South is not usually frigidly cold in the winter.”
Lincoln Parish Coroner Dr. Allen Herbert agreed with Staples that if the affliction is Parvo, it could become
(Excerpt) Read more at rustonleader.com ...
WHAT???? They didn't name it 'The Bush Runs'???????
Ping
How about the "fat, lazy, too stupid to get out of town welfare entitlement Jackson, Sharpton syndrome disease"?
Even New York isn't getting that.
No no no .... it is "Parvo doesn't care about black people" ...
How the heck can you name a disease something like, "the Katrina Rash" after having only seen three cases of it? Sounds like bird flu to me, by that I mean, there have been less than 80 deaths since what, 2000(?), but it's being treated as if it were the Black Death.
Well, since Ray thinks its a chocolate city, how about the Hershey squirts? :P
If you had bothered to read the examples of people who had contracted this, you wouldn't have made this post.
--"lawyeritis"--
The water got contaminated from Sean Penn when he went in the water from his boat sinking.
Good point. You're right and I apologize.
I'm just too much of a knee jerk smart a** sometimes. And it wouldn't be the first time.
My son-in law is a nurse in Biloxi and has mentioned that there are a number of cases of systemic fungal infections going around. One of the symptoms is the "strange rash".
I love speculative health crisis articles. They are so helpful.
Allergic reaction to work.
On a side note, if it's fifth disease, it's not that bad (worse for adults than kids)...unless you are pregnant...then it's bad.
Fifth disease! I just had that. Yucky!!!!
There are thousands of cases. The three mentioned are of first responders and it is clearly stated in the article.
Bush doesn't run. Maybe the 'Rat runs.
'Rat scratch fever.
LOL! That's perfect.
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