Posted on 11/15/2004 7:24:36 PM PST by Mother Abigail
UNDIAGNOSED RESPIRATORY DISEASE, CARE CENTER - CHINA (HONG KONG)
Hong Kong: mystery infection is neither SARS nor influenza
----------------------------------------------
Health authorities in Hong Kong are investigating the outbreak of a mysterious respiratory illness in a hospital that has infected 28 children. Tests conducted late last week [2nd week of November 2004] showed the children were not infected with SARS coronavirus or influenza virus. "We will see if they need to be further isolated, and to see if we need staff reinforcements," Health Minister York Chow told reporters on Monday [15 Nov 2004].
The children are all long term residents at 2 wards in the Caritas Medical Center, a hospital for mentally handicapped children. 4 more children developed fever and symptoms of respiratory infection on Mon 15 Nov 2004. An 11 year old girl, who had chronic medical problems, died of a chest infection in the same hospital on 9 Nov 2004, but authorities have yet to confirm whether the girl died of the same disease now afflicting the other children. "Tests on the children have turned up negative for SARS coronavirus, influenza A virus, and influenza B virus, and other respiratory related diseases. We are still checking," a health department spokeswoman said.
Some local newspapers have sharply criticized the government for its handling of the case, which evoked memories of health disasters that have dogged Hong Kong in recent years, including SARS and the deadly H5N1 bird flu. Hong Kong was badly hit by severe acute respiratory syndrome last year [2003]. This new disease, which originated in southern China, infected nearly 1800 people in Hong Kong, killing 299 of them. Inquiries into the outbreak highlighted deficiencies in the health care system and a poor chain of command.
Ping?
Another disease out of China?
We have to get these people to stop sleeping with their barnyard animals.
These people have to STOP living in the same room as the pigs and chickens!
and to see if we need staff reinforcements," Health Minister York Chow told reporters on Monday [15 Nov 2004].
Words you would rather not hear...
We have to get these people to stop sleeping with their barnyard animals.
I doubt that many barnyard animals were resident in this Hong Kong medical center, but the advice you give would be well taken for rural provinces of southern China.
I am convinced that the next worldwide pandemic will come from China. Now, or later, this one, or another one, it will come.
Thanks for the ping.
bump
Just one previously sick girl died?
Or India/Pakistan. I still wonder what happened in China during SARS. Will we ever know.
ROFLMAO!!
Thanks for the ping!
You will probably see this traced back to poor animal husbandry, involving some combination of humans, birds, swine, and fish in close proximity, with the offal, byproducts, and feces of one being used to feed another. A quite effective petri dish for germs to jump species.
Someday in heaven, maybe...
We are greatly troubled, Merciful Father, for there is so much that is not known, and so much that we cannot control ... the enemy of our souls seeks every means to destroy. Give victory to the Chinese people as they seek to discover the cause of this respiratory outbreak, and may they put into place all the measures needed to prevent its spread. Bring to their side learned people to assist them, for each nation can be at risk.
Thank You, Great Physician, that our trust is in You ... may the people return to praise You for Your goodness and mercy. In the Name of Jesus, Amen ...
This may in part be based on ignorance about how disease is spread. It could also be that they are poor, need their animals to feed themselves and have little to no land upon which to spread them out.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.