AR Dept of Health debunks leprosy fears (Arkansas Leprosy Coverup)

KFSM News ^ | February 8, 2008

[Scythian]

SPRINGDALE - The Arkansas Department of Health in Little Rock says some Northwest Arkansas doctors have wrong information that's leading them to fears of leprosy cases

[Scythian]

They pulled their original story stating it could turn into an epedemic, over 100 people have leprosy there now which is EXTREMELY HIGH.

LINK TO THE ORIGINAL FREEPER POST

Not to get off topic, but the CDC is doing the same thing with Morgellons, I know 1st hand how contagious it is. However, in the leprosy case my guess is the Akansas Health Department is simply full of a bunch of liberal pro-immigration folks who'd rather see us get sick than some poor immigrant have his feelings hurt.

[Scythian]

From:
The medical community is warning the public: a leprosy outbreak in Springdale could blossom into an epidemic, if something isn't done soon.

To:
Move along folks, nothin to see here

[snowrip]

What do we expect from a state that produced the Clinton/Huckabee style of politics?

[driftdiver]

Leprosy is caused by a bacteria and is completely treatable. Enough with the hysteria.

[mirkwood]

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

Last I heard, leprosy was not highly contagious.

[Scythian]

Leprosy is caused by a bacteria and is completely treatable. Enough with the hysteria.

Ya, right, that's where there's 100 with it in this small town and spreading (with anti-biotic treatment)

[Scythian]

The original story:

The medical community is warning the public: a leprosy outbreak in Springdale could blossom into an epidemic, if something isn't done soon.

Doctors say at least nine cases of leprosy have been confirmed in Springdale. Local doctors say they would be shocked by even one case of leprosy in their entire career, so they say something must be done soon, in order to stop leprosy's spread.

Springdale MD Jennifer Bingham says, "my initial response was: I am shocked. I am shocked we are seeing this. It's a true reason to be very worried."

Medical specialists say the Marshall Islands have the most cases of leprosy, in the world. And the city with the largest number of Marshallese people, outside the Marshall islands, is Springdale. And Bingham says, it makes sense, then, that leprosy is spreading to the city. "It's from the Marshall islands; that's why we're seeing it."

Bingham says she is all for Marshallese people entering the United States, after proper medical tests. But whether they're immigrants or not, she says people must stick to treatment, when infected. And she says, when she treats those from the Marshall Islands, this doesn't happen. "We're not getting the compliance that is absolutely essential to take care of this process."

Bingham says without cooperation, leprosy, which has no vaccine, and is transmitted through the air, will spread, and could easily become an epidemic. "People absolutely should be concerned. What I'm afraid of, is when people start thinking about it enough, it will already be out of control."

[nralife]

“over 100 people have leprosy “

Not quie right. There are over a 100 cases of TB. 8 for leprosy. I read the original article and even sent the link to a couple of friends.

[rbmillerjr]

If Mike Huckabee could do this to Arkansas, just think what he could do to the country.

LOL, Ok it’s a joke relax.

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

>> LINK TO THE ORIGINAL FREEPER POST

“Thanks for the tip.”

[cripplecreek]

So are these people employed at the big chicken processing plant down there?

[EEDUDE]

“Leprosy is caused by a bacteria and is completely treatable.”

That’s correct.

But many other less treatable diseases which were once under control in the USA are resurfacing, and the vector is the same.

There was a GOOD reason for requiring immigrants to go through a health screen before they were allowed into the country.

By the way, have you ever tried to bring a plant or an animal into this country? It’s a BIG deal.

Many times the animal will be quarantined, and the plants carefully inspected for disease.

I guess plant and animal health is more important than our health, and they are not as easily offended.

[Strategerist]

From doing a quick internet review of leprosy, it appears indeed that the original story was comprised of panicky uneducated idiot doctors, and the supposed “coverup” article is the one with accurate information.

[nralife]

Here is the cached article in its entirety:

http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:RWmLxATAmMwJ:www.kfsm.com/Global/story.asp%3FS%3D7841296+Leprosy+outbreak+causes+concerns+in+Northwest+Arkansas&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us

Last last line mentions the “over 100” with TB.

Darn, Google is fast!

[mommadooo3]

AAAAHHH......Akansas, the land of tainted blood.

[driftdiver]

Its obviously an issue but leprosy is not ebola. Illegals should be run out of this country and force to enter legally and work legally.

Health screenings are vitally important and those entering from Mexico are the only ones given a free pass.

[driftdiver]

“So are these people employed at the big chicken processing plant down there?”

Anyone who handles food should be screened. Even if you eat your chicken raw there are far greater threats to your health from poultry then leprosy.

[TheBattman]

What is also missing is that the original article also listed that there are at least 100 KNOWN cases of TB...

And guess where this is all coming from (hint: it ain’t the chickens, but you might check those PROCESSING those chickens).

[elcid1970]

Learned in grade school that leprosy (known as Hansen’s Disease after the bacterium was isolated in 1911) is mildly contagious where modern public hygiene is in effect, and can be arrested but not cured.

Anyway, I agree the downplaying of the epidemic alarm in Arkansas is PC-motivated.