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"Mystery Disease" Kills Over 300 Children in Afghanistan

Over 300 children have died of a mysterious illness in Afghanistan's northern province of Badakhshan in less than one month.

Deputy Province Governor Shamsur Rehman is quoted as saying the ailment appears to be a respiratory disease, which begins with flu, but later chokes the breathing system of the children.

Rehman said casualties my be higher, but it is difficult to get exact figures in this cold, remote area at the foot of the Hindukush mountains. (Hindu Kush)

The cities of Wakhan, Darwaz, Yaftal, and Khwahn - all bordering China and Takikistan - have also been hit with the disease.

Relief organizations and government officials are providing aid to people in several affected areas, but there are many places which cannot be accessed without helicopters.

Deputy Governor Rehman has appealed to the World Health Organization (WHO) and other groups to send medical and relief supplies, to avoid "a worst-ever human catastrophe".

Source: Pakistan Tribune, February 24. 2004.

Accidental Ebola Exposure at Fort Detrick

A civilian researcher at Fort Detrick, Md, accidentally pricked herself with a needle, containing a weakened form of Ebola virus last week, while injecting mice, as part of the Army's continuing research effort.

The woman has shown no signs of illness, but will have to remain in isolation for up to one month, as the incubation period varies from 2 to 21 days.

There is presently no cure for this high-mortality disease.

Source: CNN, February 20, 2004.

Over 300 children have died of a mysterious illness in Afghanistan's northern province of Badakhshan in less than one month.

Make you wonder if the AQ gang is doing a "quality check" on their bioweapons.