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Potentially Deadly Bacteria Discovered in Canadian, Texas - can cause flu like symptoms/death
kamr ^
Posted on 08/01/2002 7:43:55 PM PDT by chance33_98
Potentially Deadly Bacteria Discovered in Canadian
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The bacteria is called Tularemia -- one of the most infectious bacteria known to exist. "This is extremely rare," said Dr. Michael Moloney, a phiysician at the Hemphill County Clinic in Canadian.
More than 15 rabbits and several squirrels have been found dead over the past few months in a wildlife preserve outside of of town. After a state wildlife official discovered the dead animals, the Texas Department of Health office in Canyon sent them away for tests at the Centers for Disease Control office in Colorado, where they tested positive for the naturally-occurring bacteria.
"It only tends to happen when the population of those rodents and rabbits become a little large and in fact its a mechanism in nature to kind of get down the number of these creatures," Moloney said.
The bacteria can be transmitted to humans. If left untreated, it could cause flu-like symptoms and, eventually, death. "The only risk is if they are holding ill or dead squirrels, rabbits, rodents. So really, if you can avoid those creatures, you're not going to get the disease," Moloney said.
Nevertheless, the state's health department has notified the medical community in Canadian about the appearance of the bacteria. "The physicians in the area are aware that if someone comes in with a flu-like illness and glandular-type disease that they need to keep this in mind, but the risk is not very high. It's very, very low," Moloney said.
The risk is so low, that the bacteria was removed from the U.S. list of reported diseases back in 1990. However, it is now back on that list, because it's been identified as a potential biological weapon. The fear is that terrorists could manufacture the bacteria in a lab and spray it over a city.
It only takes ten microscopic spores of the bacteria for someone to become infected. Doctors recommend using an insect repellant when outdoors, especially in wooded areas. That's where ticks tend to be found, and they can transmit the disease. People should also avoid touching any dead animals they may find out there because there is no way of telling if they have the bacteria unless that animal is tested for it.
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; US: Texas
KEYWORDS:
Paging Stephen King...
To: chance33_98
I've been keeping updated on the potential of Tularemia as
A Biological Weapon...
Might be worth keeping an eye on at this point folks, just as an FYI.
To: chance33_98
Tuleremia was been around for mega-years.
As my pop use to say "Never shoot a slow rabbit".
3
posted on
08/01/2002 8:02:09 PM PDT
by
lizma
To: chance33_98; snopercod
To: Sweet_Sunflower29
Nice catch 'n a bump ... 's what I get for staying there 'n reading the whole thing.
To: First_Salute
Heehee...
To: chance33_98
Additional 'FYI' stuff on Tularemia available
Here
To: Mitchell
Ping. You are better able to judge if this story is significant, but if so maybe ping the others.
8
posted on
08/01/2002 8:10:34 PM PDT
by
BlackVeil
To: Sweet_Sunflower29
Thanks for the link - not that it will make me sleep any better mind you. As soon as I saw the story my first thought was 'Can this be used as a bio weapon?'...
To: chance33_98
I'm glad to be here roasting in the desert! LOL
10
posted on
08/01/2002 9:01:15 PM PDT
by
brat
To: BlackVeil
Thanks for the ping.
I believe this to be a natural outbreak, notwithstanding the fact that tularemia has been discussed as a possible biological weapon. I can't imagine that a WMD would be used on a small town in Texas, far from any big city.
11
posted on
08/01/2002 10:02:39 PM PDT
by
Mitchell
To: chance33_98
One of the most infectious bacteria known to exist. This is extremely rare. If it's one of the most infectious bacteria known, how on earth can it be rare?
12
posted on
08/01/2002 10:06:17 PM PDT
by
absinthe
To: absinthe
Semantics a'la Klintoon. Probably infectious but short lived so not found very often (i.e. kills itself out). Hey, I am just guessing :) I am a computer geek and the only biology I know is how to reproduce!
To: chance33_98
We had a really weird spate of sickness of 15 people here in Phoenix, with one death, that of a 15 year old. All were at a local golf course (playing) over the course of a weekend, and all were violently ill. They still cannot find the cause of death of the 15 y.o. Toxicology reports came up negative.
To: kstewskis
Personally I think the next big attack has a better chance at coming from within. Some dumb a$$ bio student at UC bersekley deciding to play typhoid harry or someting. Or 'testing' something new they made. While Al Queerda might have a few bombers doing something they don't seem to have the training, knowledge, and access (yet) to some of the things the wackos in our own country do.
To: Sweet_Sunflower29
This is why rabbit hunting season is not in warm weather.
16
posted on
08/02/2002 12:09:56 AM PDT
by
paix
To: chance33_98
Oh that's just great.I am sitting here with flu like conditions and you gotta tell me about this,and all this time I was worried about west nile virus.
To: eastforker
Well, get some chicken soup and lay on the couch under a warm blanket and watch a movie (might I suggest, 'The Stand'?)
To: chance33_98
Bump for my wife...
Semper Fi!
19
posted on
08/02/2002 6:31:38 AM PDT
by
dd5339
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