http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/03/20060320-7.html
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 20, 2006
"President Discusses War on Terror and Operation Iraqi Freedom"
Renaissance Cleveland Hotel
Cleveland, Ohio
Fact Sheet: Strategy for Victory: Clear, Hold, and Build
In Focus: Renewal in Iraq
12:25 P.M. EST
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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1600054/posts
Thailand: Specialists on full alert following outbreak of bacterial which could be use as weapon
The Nation (Thai) ^ | March 21, 2006 | Nation Staff
Posted on 03/20/2006 7:48:19 PM PST by JimSEA
A serious disease outbreak in the northern province of Nan had Army weapons specialists and US disease investigators on full alert Monday.
Almost 150 people in the province have been stricken with botulism, a rare yet lethal bacterial disease that could potentially be used as a biological weapon.
Health authorities have sought international assistance treating the patients.
US military biological weapons experts have been flown into Nan, as have World Health Organisation disease specialists, said Thai Disease Control Department chief Thawat Suntharacharn.
Since March 4, 143 villagers in Nan's Ban Luang district have been diagnosed as suffering from botulism, a disease caused by toxins produced by several members of a group of bacteria known as Clostridium botulinum.
All of the patients reported having eaten dishes containing preserved bamboo shoots from the same batch at a merit-making feast in their village last week. Shortly after eating the shoots they began to suffer similar symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhoea, difficulty swallowing, dry mouths and muscle weakness, Nan chief health officer Dr Pisit Sriprasert said on Sunday. Of the 147, 33 are currently breathing with the aid of respirators, he said.
"This bacterium is among three strains that can be used as a biological warfare agent - the others are anthrax and smallpox," said Thawat.
Fears of a biological attack arose because of the number of people falling ill at one time.