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Island disease hits 50,000 people
BBC ^ | 2/2/06 | n/a

Posted on 02/02/2006 12:36:37 PM PST by kiriath_jearim

Island disease hits 50,000 people

A crippling mosquito-borne disease is spreading at an accelerating rate on the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion, health officials say.

They say the number of cases of the viral illness, known as chikungunya, had risen to 50,000, an increase of 15,000 in the past week alone.

The disease is not fatal, but those affected suffer high fever and severe pain. There is no cure or vaccine.

Hundreds of troops have been deployed on the island to eradicate mosquitoes.

Officials said the troops would be spraying the whole island against mosquitoes in the coming days.

The latest outbreak was first noticed there in February 2005 - but has spread at an accelerating rate since December.

Meanwhile, neighbouring territories are mobilising to contain the disease.

On the Seychelles - where 2,000 cases have been reported in the past four weeks - the army has been mobilised to exterminate mosquitoes, Reuters news agency reports.

The authorities in Madagascar also fear the disease may have reached their island, AFP news agency says.

Chikungunya fever is named after a Swahili word meaning "that which bends up" - referring to the stooped posture of those afflicted.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs
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To: dljordan
They WANT people to die because Gaia is overcrowded. In their dream utopia all the "unnecessary eaters" would be dead leaving only the enlightened ones living in perfect harmony.

And they call us cold-hearted.

21 posted on 02/02/2006 1:26:00 PM PST by American Quilter (Cruelty is the conscious infliction of pain. - Oswald Spengler)
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To: Onelifetogive

"Chikungunya fever is named after a Swahili word meaning "that which bends up""

Curiously, the Tex-Mex delight known as a "Chimichanga", also tend to bend people up, but over toilets.

Same word etimology, presumably.


22 posted on 02/02/2006 1:53:25 PM PST by MeanWestTexan (Many at FR would respond to Christ "Darn right, I'll cast the first stone!")
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To: sockmonkey

Termadore works as well as chlordane.

It will soon be banned, I'm sure.


23 posted on 02/02/2006 1:54:01 PM PST by MeanWestTexan (Many at FR would respond to Christ "Darn right, I'll cast the first stone!")
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To: FormerLib

"At what point will Rachel Carson receive the credit for all of the deaths that she's caused?"

Presumably in Hell.


24 posted on 02/02/2006 1:54:37 PM PST by MeanWestTexan (Many at FR would respond to Christ "Darn right, I'll cast the first stone!")
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To: Onelifetogive
ROFLOL!!

I will never think of "Chikungunya" the same again.........

25 posted on 02/02/2006 1:56:27 PM PST by Osage Orange (PC is BS)
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To: dljordan

"In their dream utopia all the "unnecessary eaters" would be dead leaving only the enlightened ones living in perfect harmony."

Ironically, they are self-achieving this task via abortion and promoting the gay lifestyle.


26 posted on 02/02/2006 1:56:33 PM PST by MeanWestTexan (Many at FR would respond to Christ "Darn right, I'll cast the first stone!")
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To: kiriath_jearim

Well, a little DDT should fix things. Oh, that's right. It's illegal.


27 posted on 02/02/2006 1:56:50 PM PST by Tribune7
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