Mystery Illness Kills Missouri Soldier

Missouri News-Leader ^ | 7/16/03 | Eric Eckert

[Marianne]

WARNING OF TOXIC AFTERMATH FROM URANIUM MUNITIONS LINK
excerpts:
"Former Maj. Douglas Rokke, who was director of the Army's depleted uranium project, . . .
"Myself and my team members started to get sick almost immediately. It started with respiratory problems, then rashes."

[zip]

I think they said it was some unusual viral thing,

I would have checked on insurance policies bought right after the marriage unless she had preexisting conditions of some kind.

[Thumper1960]

Not withstanding the potential subject discussion of 'predestiny', we are saddened by the young man's passing. Not the least because he was serving his nation and people. It leads one to reflect on how much we take for granted. Life is fleeting in the grand design. Enjoy every moment you can. Do not let adversity poison your attitudes. Seek out the wonders and sweetness of our Earthly realm. From the descriptions of this young man, he knew at 20 what a multitude will never grasp. Live life and be happy.

[FairOpinion]

Ping.

Do you think people on your SARS ping list may be interested?

Sounds puzzling.

[CholeraJoe]

Doctors there told the family they believed Josh suffered from pneumonia due to fluid that had collected on his lungs. But then his liver, kidneys and muscles started to break down, his mother said.

The old infectious disease training is kicking in. There's one infectious disease that is endemic in third world countries that causes this constellation of symptoms. Leptospirosis. Serological tests can take several weeks to confirm.

[Domestic Church]

Pinging for your 2 cents!

Interesting differential overlap. Anthrax is a possibility.

[blam]

"Pinging for your 2 cents! "

Thanks. I read this earlier and didn't know what to say. Still don't. (A learning thread for me.)

[Domestic Church]

"... he may have been involved in grading or other earth moving operations that stirred up a lot of dust."

You probably hit the nail on the head.

[jocon307]

"Leptospirosis"

What is that? Is it related to leprosy? Or...cholera? Are you an infectious diseases expert, hence your name?

Where are the diseases of yesteryear? Sorry, I get silly at 5:30 am, like clock-work!

[CholeraJoe]

Leptospirosis is caused by a bacteria that usually infects wild rodents. It can be acquired through exposure to contaminated water or rodent droppings. Not related to leprosy or cholera.

Although infectious diseases are not my specialty, I know quite a bit about them.

[putupon]

They are also waiting for autopsy results

I wouldn't trust an autopsy conducted by the military.

My brother-in-law reported to Ft. Bragg for a new assignment. They gave him 17 shots in one day when they processed him in.

He came down w/ myocarditis right after that and survived approx. 2 months.

When he died in a civilian hospital, the Army grabbed the body and shipped it back to Bragg and did their own autopsy so quickly no one had time to think about it.

I don't know if they had found anything that embarassed them, but I suspect they were following SOP just in case.

[Doc On The Bay]

I've got Little experience with "Third World Diseases;" I Defer to your "Expertise!"

God Bless this poor soul!

I WISH I could contribute!!

Doc

[flutters]

Do you think people on your SARS ping list may be interested? Sounds puzzling.

It sure does. Sorry I didn't get this when it was posted, but I'll ping them now in case they didn't see it.

[Judith Anne]

Thanks for the ping. I'm puzzled, too.

[Prince Charles]

Atypical pneumonia bump...

And condolences to his family and friends.

[Fred Mertz]

This one sounds like some sort of bio/chem incident. Who knows?

[Calpernia]

Are you on flutters ping list? did you see this?

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Thanks for the ping. Hopefully it's not the beginning of something bigger.

[MissL]

I am sorry if someone else has posted this BUT ....I have horrible allergies to mold and I live in Missouri. But living here is my choice. I grew up in the San Francisco Bay area and did not have any allergies...NONE !!! When I lived in Seattle...I had allergies to trees, mold, and just about everything growing !!! It was deadly !!! In the mid-west you have the choice to avoid your problems....I don't go into basements...don't page through books that are full of mold. Here if you have half a brain and allergies you know you have a choice...and if you decide to dig for gold through that mold....there is a price to pay and don't whine !!!!

[Betty Jo]

http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0710/p07s02-woiq.html

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0307/S00044.htm

two articles about "radiation" contamination.

Was this GI in or near Tuwaiha ?