- Budge's Links to the Tainted Arkansas
Prison Blood Story - Blood Trail by Michael Sullivan (Galster)
- BLOOD TRAIL -- Clinton
- BLOOD TRAIL -- Timeline
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Documents obtained by Forward Times under the Freedom of Information Act, for an investigation of the hepatitis C epidemic, reveal that U.S. servicemen were used to test experimental vaccines while they were in Basic Combat Training during the Vietnam Era.
Responses to the request by the Department of Defense indicate that soldiers at major U.S. military training bases during the late 1960s and 1970s were used to test vaccines for spinal meningitis and other diseases.
Hepatitis, not Hepatitis C, was a serious medical condition for military personnel during the Vietnam War. Thousands of servicemen contracted the disease and the Pentagon was determined to do something about it to resolve a drain on combat readiness.
Forward Times, under the Freedom of Information Act, requested the following:
* Any information, documents, research reports, and records pertaining to experimental and/or test vaccines administered to trainees in Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri in 1970 for spinal Meningitis and hepatitis.
* The criteria in which trainees were selected for said vaccines, and details of any follow up done by the Department of the Army on the soldiers who participated in the vaccinations.
* Any studies and research on Hepatitis C contracted by soldiers in the United States Army.
The information on studies and research on Hepatitis C were sought in response to fears by some veterans that Hepatitis C could have evolved from Pentagon experiments on servicemen to find a vaccine for hepatitis during the Vietnam War.
The Department of Defense responded to the Forward Times request only after intervention by U.S. Representative Gene Green, D-Houston.
The Pentagon revealed that the Office of the Surgeon General of the Army established a "hepatitis C registry" during the early 1990s.
But the Department of Defense, according to the response, "discontinued the hepatitis C virus diseases registry on October 21, 1993 after concluding that the "infection rates among Army personnel were low, about one percent."
According to the response, the Pentagon concluded "that hepatitis C did not constitute a significant drain on either personnel or medical resources. The Department of Defense admitted that "the registry was neither complete nor a truly random sample."
The response, written by Anne Johnson-Winegar, stated that the original intent of the registry was to:
* "Maintain a list of individuals who had tested positive for hepatitis C virus antibodies in order to evaluate screening tests."
* "Track the natural progression of hepatitis C virus and infection and disease in soldiers and other beneficiaries."
* "Attempt to assess the impact of hepatitis C virus disease on military personnel and readiness."
* "Establish a database of infected persons who could be followed over time."
"Data was collected from May 1990 through October 1993," said Johnson-Winegar. "Data was collected from medical treatment facility blood banks and clinical laboratories, from prevention medicine services, and from the references at WRAIR. The reporting of patient data by the preventative medicine services was mandated by OTSG, but compliance varied from post to post. In the absence of patient data from preventative medical resources, only hepatitis C virus antibody tests results were known for an individual."
While the Pentagon disbanded the hepatitis C registry for military personnel in 1993, after concluding that the infection rate was only one percent, recent studies indicate that military veterans have the highest hepatitis C rate in the nation.
Statistics by the American Liver Foundation show that 1.8 percent of the U.S. population is Hepatitis C positive. Twelve to 14 percent of those infected are veterans.
African-Americans, at 3.2 percent, are the largest infected ethnic group, followed by Mexican-Americans with 2.1 percent, and 1.5 percent for whites.
More than four million Americans have hepatitis C. It is estimated that 300,000 of those who have tested positive contracted the virus through blood transfusions they received before 1992.
Government officials are being urged to mobilize health resources to educate the public on hepatitis C. Houston City Council, among other agencies, is being targeted to adopt education and outreach programs on the virus.
The governor of New York recently signed into law Assembly Bill 86868. The legislation directs the commissioner of health to develop educational materials on diagnosis, treatment and prevention of hepatitis C for health care professionals and persons at high risk.
Hepatitis C warriors are urging other political subdivisions, including the city of Houston, to adopt similar measures.
Inquiries reveal that the Houston Health Department is doing very little to educate the public on hepatitis C.
Veterans’ organizations throughout the nation are mobilizing to combat hepatitis C and to lobby governmental entities to launch an all-out war against the disease.
Many veteran victims are concerned that Vietnam Era soldiers, who received blood transfusions for wounds on the frontlines of the war, may have contacted the virus through contaminated transfusions and spread the disease upon returning home and becoming part of society.
Hepatitis C was not identified until 1989. However, blood samples of American servicemen taken in 1948 were recently reviewed during a study. Those samples detected the hepatitis C virus.
California, like New York, is cracking down on hepatitis C. A California Senate hearing recently revealed that little action has been taken by the state to stop the spread of the killer virus which is expected to kill more people than AIDS.
Center for Disease Control statistics provided to the panel revealed that minority groups are more at risk for hepatitis C.
CDS statistics show that California ranks first in the hepatitis C prevalence rate. Texas ranks second, New York ranks third, and Florida ranks fourth.
Studies prevented to the panel indicated that if detected early enough, about 40 percent of hepatitis C patients successfully respond to treatment. However, most infected people are not aware that they have hepatitis C until irreversible liver damage has occurred.
The studies concluded that even for those who do not respond to treatment, it is important that they become aware, because there are interventions that can significantly slow down the progression of hepatitis C damage to the liver by abstaining from drinking alcoholic beverages and making sure they are immunized to protect from hepatitis A and B.
Information about hepatitis C can be obtained from
the Texas Liver Institute by calling 713-791-8668.
Source: Ed Wendt
I will post all future references on this issue at:
Hepatitis-Central.com
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There's still something I don't like about trying to pin this on the military.
But that's taking a back seat at present to my surprise at the figures on CA, TX, FLA & NY. Any ideas on why these states are so out in front?
Strictly whole numbers or would we see something different in a per capita look?
I imagine these states have epidemics because they are centers for homosexual contacts and intravenous drug use. At least this is true of California and New York.
But that's taking a back seat at present to my surprise at the figures on CA, TX, FLA & NY. Any ideas on why these states are so out in front?
Pure demographics, five. These states also have the highest incidence of HIV infection as well. Both infections are more prevalent in Blacks and Hispanics and among IV drug abusers. These four most populous states all have large populations of the two target (sorry, poor choice of words) most impacted ethnic groups and a high prevalence of IV drug use as well. In both raw numbers and in infections per 100,000 populations, these states lead the way.
BTW, lots of military retirees and vets in these states.
(sorry, poor choice of words)
Not necessarily ... considering the company you keep (on the straight and narrow ... as best you can).
Thanks!
Quite right ... I'd forgotten to consider that.
I do suggest a click on the link at the end of the article ... can't vouch for all that's posted there but he's got a lot of information that may pertain to you.
Vietnam era vets have a higher than expected prevalence of HepC that correlates with the occurrence of transfusion, IV drug abuse, visits to prostitutes, and having spent time in jail.
Mysteriously, Vietnam era vets without any of these risk factors still have a higher than expected prevalence of HepC even if they never served in country. Makes you wonder doesn't it? Back during the sixties, some immunization regimens included gamma globulin (made from donor blood) as prophylaxis against HepB. Wonder if they ran into a bad batch?
Back during the sixties, some immunization regimens included gamma globulin (made from donor blood) as prophylaxis against HepB
Invariably, it was usually a mess cook or food handler that came down with hepatitis. As a result, everyone on the ship would have to get a shot of gamma globulin. It was the most painful of any inoculation that I ever received…the cheek of my butt would swell up with a knot the size of a baseball.
The only saving grace was that the doctor/corpsmen who administered the shots didn't use 'cholera' in their names. :)
Did you receive any of these vaccines during your hitch?
"There's still something I don't like about trying to pin this on the military."
They're still continuing on their "experimental" vaccine program to this day. Witness the latest round of anthrax, etc. vaccines for the current vets - to keep them protected from biological warfare attacks, doncha know.
"They're still continuing on their "experimental" vaccine program to this day. Witness the latest round of anthrax, etc. vaccines for the current vets - to keep them protected from biological warfare attacks, doncha know."
Let me rephrase this... The military is still giving "experimental" vaccines to those currently serving (not the vets).
The only saving grace was that the doctor/corpsmen who administered the shots didn't use 'cholera' in their names. :)
It's my middle name. My first name is Anthrax.
I realize full well the reasons behind vets (or prisoners) having higher than normal infection rates. I should have been more clear that I'm PO'd at the military's getting the brunt of the publicity. No question but what the tainted blood knowingly and purposefully disseminated (even after, for example, Cryosan was caught with and ordered to destroy batches which included Angola, LA prison blood) ... is the primary mover and shaker here. Vets (like gays or hemophiliacs) were just more liable to receive the rounds of derivatives produced from tainted plasma, IMHO.
It also diverts attention down the conspiracy theory path which -- although a well-marked trail -- can wait until we get the truth out about Clinton, Henderson, Hecht, the pharmas, the blood brokers, the FDA, CDC and our sainted Liddy Dole and her bloody Red Cross.
The only upside to stories like this being the hope that such stories will encourage ANYONE who believes they MAY have been infected will get tested and get treatment if necessary ASAP.
Wonder if they ran into a bad batch?
Chances are ...
Anthrax, eh?
I see no reason why my whole family shouldn't get tested again ... although it was mid-seventies when my Dad and I got Hep-B and put everyone through the gamma-globulin routine. I imagine Hep-C is NOT included with your run-of-the-mill bloodwork, is it?
I imagine Hep-C is NOT included with your run-of-the-mill bloodwork, is it?
Typically not. The specific blood test for Hep C wasn't developed until 1992. Absent symptoms or risk factors, it's not routine.
I need to make one tiny correction here about gamma globulin. Most gamma globulin preparations, even back in the 70's were safe, because the manufacturing process itself inherently kills viruses. Back at the beginning of the HIV scare, we ran some tests on a number of batches of globulin. The globulin, which is pure antibodies, was strongly positive for HIV antibodies but negative for the virus. Having received a shot of gamma globulin does not put someone in the same risk category as having received a transfusion of blood or plasma.
To recap for everyone, the risk factors for HIV and HepC are (pretty much in descending order of risk):
Pre-1992 transfusion
IV drug use (even once)
Male homosexual contact (or for women sex with an IV drug user or man who had sex with men)
Healthcare workers or exposure to large amounts of blood on the skin
More than 48 hours behind bars
Household contacts of known HepC patients (but not HIV patients).
Vietnam era Veterans.
There is a wealth of information about HepC available at the link above or this one: epidemic.org
can anyone pin down the start date and end date of testing at ft. leonard wood during the early '70's?
can anyone pin down the start date and end date of testing at ft. leonard wood during the early '70's?
This was the best I could do:
Abstract:
The development of effective meinigococcal vaccines was based upon the finding that immunity to the meningococcus was directly correlated with serum bactericidal antibodies. Purified high molecular weight capsular polysaccharides of serogroups A and C meningococci stimulated the production of humoral antibodies which had group specific bactericidal activity. In controlled field trials in Army recruits, group C polysaccharide vaccines were highly effective in preventing group C disease. Following its use as a routine immunization in recruits in October 1971 group C meningococcal disease has been almost completely eliminated from Army training centers. Group A vaccine has been field tested in Egyptian school children with great success. Group B polysaccharide has failed to induce bactericidal antibodies in humans and, therefore, new research is underway to attempt to develop a cell wall protein antigen as a vaccine against group B disease.
NLM Citation ID:
76015029
Full Source Title:
Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine
Publication Type:
Journal Article; Review
Language:
English
Authors:
Artenstein MS
Number of References:
16
Written in '75 indicating that use of Meningococcal vaccine in Army training centers had ceased by that time.
Meningococcal vaccine IS very effective in controlling outbreaks in recruit, refugee, and college populations wherein individuals from diverse geographic areas are suddenly thrust together in close quarters. We are seeing recommendations from the CDC suggesting its use nowadays.
I can see the connection between HepC and intravenous drug use, but where does homosexuality fit in?
bttt
I can see the connection between HepC and intravenous drug use, but where does homosexuality fit in?
Although far less communicable through high risk sexual behavior than HepB and HIV, HepC is nevertheless transmissible through such contact. Recently a study from Massachusetts showed liver disease due to HepC to be the most common mode of death in HIV patients in one hospital.
See also the link in my post at #17.
Since HepC is a blood-borne illness, it cannot be transmitted by casual sexual contact, unless the uninfected party has an open sore which allows contact with the transmitter's blood. Bodily fluids do not transmit HepC; only blood.
Homosexual acts -- in fact sexual acts of either orientation -- are of negligible import in the transmission of the HepC virus.
It will not help the millions of HepC sufferers to be tarred with the homosexual brush when they've never even thought about engaging in such activities.
Homosexual acts -- in fact sexual acts of either orientation -- are of negligible import in the transmission of the HepC virus.
Wrong!
From: epidemic.org:
Sexual contact has been clearly identified as a means of transmitting hepatitis C. Several studies of risk factors in sexual activity found rates of infection between 1 and 18% for homosexually active individuals, 1 to 10% among heterosexually active individuals, and 1 to 12% among female prostitutes, with the primary risk factors for infection being greater numbers of partners, unprotected sex, simultaneous infection with other STD's, and traumatic sexual activity. Seroprevalence for long term partners of hepatitis C patients was found to be around 5%.
Hardly negligible.
It will not help the millions of HepC sufferers to be tarred with the homosexual brush when they've never even thought about engaging in such activities.
Agreed. Since high risk sexual behavior of any type is a risk factor for HepC, but not the most common one, a HepC sufferer is hardly "tarred" with the homosexual label any more than they would be labeled a drug user - by far and away the most common route of spread.
Once the individual is infected the route by which the virus enters the body ceases to be important. It doesn't affect the way the patient is treated. All infected persons should be counselled on the method of preventing spread of the disease to others as part of their initial evaluation. That's the way I handle it, anyway.
The IVIG or gamma globulin back in the sixties was a high risk for transmittion of nonA, nonB as it was manufactured from knowm hep B positive donors. Our prison in Arkansas continued to operate its plasma program to provide these donors.
I would appreciate any info you have on the actual manufacturing process of GG. As I understand it, the use of alcohol to precipitate out the GG from plasma killed most viruses. As we all know, things go wrong in manufacturing processes and certainly the use of pooled plasma would contaminate entire lots. This could be a major breakthrough for our Vietnam Vets if we could link GG to HepC. It might bring forth some better cooperation from the VA.
Household transmission is rare. It can occur if there is blood-to-blood contact. This could involve our blood spills coming into contact with someone elses open cut. The sharing of razor blades, toothbrushes and other personal grooming aids, such as nail clippers, scissors and fingernail files can also transmit the virus. Wipe up blood spills with paper towels and bleach, and keep razors and toothbrushes separate from those belonging to other family members. Burn any bandages, paper towels etc. that comes into contact with your blood if possible.
Sexual transmission of hepatitis C is very uncommon. All sexually active people should consider the benefits of safe sex in regard to the wide range of sexually transmissible diseases. If you have any condition that involves scratching, sores or blisters (especially when these may come into contact during sexual activity) the possibility of blood to blood contact and transmission is increased.
When one partner is hepatitis C positive couples need to reassess their sexual practices to exclude the risk of blood to blood contact during sex. Using condoms when a female partner is menstruating or when engaging in anal sex is recommended.
This is the information I have been going on, in addition to several other reports which indicate that sexual contact is a negligible route of transmission. Your figures indicate otherwise. I will continue researching.
By the way, the above information comes from Hepatitis Central, a clearinhouse for mostly medical research.
Gamma Globulin was the main blood product that infected hundreds of new mothers in Ireland in the 1980's.It's well documented. Perhaps Wallaby can pull up some archival articles from Nexus-Lexus to determine the actual product name etc. I have hard copy of some of the articles printed in the Toronto Star last year.
Krever discovered that our blood broker and Connaught bought up a lot of the reconstituted plasma from Irwin Memorial (San Fran) in 1985 and brought it up to Canada to be made into factor product. This plasma was the leftover plasma collected from recruited hep B positive gay donors , which initially was used to produce gamma globulin because of this identifiable high titre plasma. Nice guys eh. Krever discovered that one of these donors went on to develop and die from AIDS. The FDA notified Health Canada and Connaught of this and no recall of products were ever done. Connaught was cited for potential misconduct by Krever for this failure to act.I know of people who have tested positive after recieving GG in the 1980's so I don't believe that manufacturing process was that effective against HCV.
"Did you receive any of these vaccines during your hitch? "
I went thru Ft. Wood in '65. While in Basic it seemed like you got shots constantly. Supposedly all were in your records but who knows?
In the Beautiful Orient they would give us a GammaGlob butt buster every so often. I don't know how those medics continued to live:-)
Here's a link to the epidemic.org references page. REFERENCES It is a fairly comprehensive list of books and scientific papers. I follow this topic and HIV pretty closely so as new stuff comes out, I'll post it on FR and flag you.
I've read some of your posts, IronJack, you seem like a straight shooter. The purpose of the BLOOD TRAIL threads is to highlight the corruption and deceit of brokers of tainted blood and the plight of the victims. We seem to be turning over yet another rock in highlighting the higher than expected rate of HepC among Vietnam era veterans. My strong suspicion is that gamma globulin shots are the common thread for the Vets. More to follow. cj
I sat next to a physician on an airplane headed for Hong Kong. He was researching why there was so much Hep B and C in Southeast Asia.
They don't know why...but there is more hepatitus than can be explained by known transmission routes (sex, transfusions, etc). Mosquito's?????
Before pinning this on the military......it could be the geography. And there are people investigating it.
that's great. I did boot camp @ ft. leonard wood in the spring of '71. like ND says, I got a butt full of shots.
Routine immunizations like tetanus, diphtheria, measles etc are administered to adults in their arms. Gamma globulin, OTOH, is so painful and required large volumes, that it must be administered in the gluteus muscle (Buttock). Chances are, if you got a butt shot immunization while on active duty, it was gamma globulin. This doesn't apply to butt shots for antibiotics.
Previous research from the medical literature and FR's bloodhounds indicates that GG has been implicated in the transmission of HepC in some but not all instances. (See BigM's post above.) If you can recall getting a shot in the butt during your service in the 60's and 70's, it might be a good idea to see your doctor for a Hepatitis panel test.
Thanks Raven!
Haven't time to scroll the thread ... heads up you guys (just in case).
Where you been? We've figured out why Vets have a higher HepC prevalence. It's the gamma globulin. Now all we have to do is prove it.
Like I said ... too little time to even read the rest of the thread. May be spotty for a bit coming up. (I want to finish a project I've only just started!)
In any case ... I guess that means I SHOULD get my family tested. (They all got gamma globulin when my Dad and I came down with Hep-B.)
I'll try to check in on the Trail for sure.
You may have missed this but my Mom sure didn't ...
YOU DID NOT GET HEP B...........a far worse scenario, I assure you. Hep A is also know as "infectious hepatitis" and transmission is fecal-oral, if I recall correctly. Then, you eat food prepped without washing hands and six weeks later..... Bingo.
What can I say ... long day after four hours sleep and a 4 1/2 hour, "70 mph" ride in to work.
a far worse scenario, I assure you.
Well, she's right about that. Not knowing the circumstances, I didn't want to comment, but I did strongly suspect it was A not B.
Your Mom lurks on FR? I guess I'll have to mind my manners since Mrs. Five is watching.
Figured you'd spot my Major Typo as to type.
Not to worry about my sometimes shadow ... as bmwcycle can attest, she gets on my case only. Hates it when I sound like one of the guys but -- with the exception of her genetic Grammar Tic -- couldn't care less about anyone else!
> I got a butt full of shots.
It's still swollen beyond belief. Have you tried sitting in a tub of ice water?
> her genetic Grammar Tic
Moms love to become Grammars. I think she's trying to tell you something.
BOTH of your above posts made me laugh out loud!
She is going to love that ... but is probably content at present to remark favorably on my well-behaved dog!
(Another sister is picking up the slack in that department.)
the biggest butt from down here is runnin for NY senate. down here, ice water is only used for mixin w/ yer sour mash.
p.s. how was thanksgiving? brats & giblet dressing agin?
> the biggest butt from down here is runnin for NY senate
She's not down there any more. There's nobody to threaten your title now.
We do not serve brats at Thanksgiving. They are a lot harder to catch, and if you do manage to grab one, you don't know which end to chop off with your trusty hatchet, and if you figure that out, they're a real b*tch to stuff. They don't have giblets, either, so the only decent gravy is chocolate gravy left over from Sunday mornin'.
> keep (on the straight and narrow ...
Do you and your mom, the Grammar Ma'am, think the rock of Gibralter is surrounded by heterosexuals?
In case that last remark was obscure, there's more on the subject at St. Matthew 7:14 KJV -- I think; I'm too lazy to get up and check the reference.
I'm going to look that up ...
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