Are illegals making U.S. a leper colony? (Leprosy in America)

WorldNetDaily ^ | 5/22/05 | WorldNetDaily

[wagglebee]

"Americans should be told that diseases long eradicated in this country – tuberculosis, leprosy, polio, for example – and other extremely contagious diseases have been linked directly to illegals," Rep. J.D. Hayworth, R-Ariz., told the Business Journal of Phoenix. "For example, in 40 years, only 900 persons were afflicted by leprosy in the U.S.; in the past three years, more than 7,000 cases have been presented."

This is a frightening statistic.

[Gunslingr3]

"They're coming to be treated because they get treatment free and probably get better treatment here," he told Columbia. "Somebody down there diagnoses them and says, 'Hey, you've got leprosy, and your best course of action is probably high-tailing to the U.S.'"

Too bad the GOP is only interested in enlarging socialism and particularly 'free' healthcare. When foreigners read that the U.S. government has a $600 billion dollar prescription drug-giveaway the consequences should be obvious.

[wolicy_ponk]

If you want more of something, subsidize it...

[Conservative Goddess]

Illegal Immigration Ping.....

[bikepacker67]

What did the leper say to the prostitute?

Keep the tip...

What do you call a leper in a bathtub?

Soup...

[Mark was here]

Folks with leprosy should mate with someone with Aids, then they will no longer have leprosy but Aids, then the government will protect them as an entitled minority, and prevent them from being quarantined, as it would violate their "civil rights". The folks with Aids can add leprosy to their list of woes, to petition the government with, to ask for more funding.

[TFine80]

Massachusetts has seen some leprosy coming from Brazil...

[Just A Nobody]

Pfeifer said he had not issued an official report on the dangerous trend, fearing that anti-immigration groups would become vocal against centers providing free health care for illegals.

How does one respond to that?

[joesnuffy]

It aint just leprosy folks...

Illegal aliens are the gift that just keeps on giving

Leprosy(Hansen's disease),chagras,(MDR)Multi-drug resitant tuberculosis,Hepatitis types A,B,C

Illegal Aliens Threaten U.S. Medical System

[Smarti Pants]

"Americans should be told that diseases long eradicated in this country – tuberculosis, leprosy, polio, for example – and other extremely contagious diseases have been linked directly to illegals,"

It's TRUE!!

My daughter just got sent home with a letter - she's been singled out as being someone in "close contact" with a student who's just been diagnosed as having tuberculosis!!

I wonder if this is another thing "Americans don't want".................

[Arizona]

From your excellent link:

The Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons report includes a strong prescription for protecting the health of Americans:

* Closing America's borders with fences, high-tech security devices and troops.

* Rescinding the U.S. citizenship of "anchor babies."

* Punishing the aiding and abetting of illegal aliens as a crime.

* An end to amnesty programs.

This is SO right. Too bad most of our politicians don't have a bit of common sense. JD Hayworth understands. Tom Tancredo understands.

[ConservativeLawyer]

Illegals ping.

[commonasdirt]

By jumping into my Wayback Machine I could witness the immigrant health screenings at Ellis Island

Seal the Borders & stop illegals NOW!

This is yet another story you won't see posted at DU folks

[JohnBovenmyer]

Fortunately only about 3% of humans are genetically susceptible to leprosy (Hansen's disease) and it is NOT extremely contagious. Treatment usually works well if patients will take their pills and start treatment before significant nerve damage occurs. The meds are supplied free in US, but the meds mainly used are old inexpensive ones affordable even in the third world. It has quite varied presentations and can be difficult to diagnose clinically, but once you think of the diagnosis a biopsy will usually confirm it. I've seen a few cases of it. It had been on the short list of medical problems the Feds listed as grounds to deny permission to immigrate; I'm not sure whether it still is so listed.

[GovernmentShrinker]

Leprosy is not easily transmitted. Only about 5% of people who live in the same household as someone with leprosy contract the disease. And it takes a long time to develop -- usually 4-8 years. I suspect this increase in U.S. leprosy cases is largely confined to certain immigrant groups from countries where it is endemic (most of whom already had it when they got here, but just weren't symptomatic yet), and is at least partly due to increased diagnosis (read: more free medical care to illegal immigrants). Also, it's now completely curable. So don't panic!

[GovernmentShrinker]

Fortunately only about 3% of humans are genetically susceptible to leprosy

Do you know if there is an ethnic/racial profile of susceptibility? Or is that such a politically incorrect question that researchers haven't been allowed to study it or publish study results?

[Bennett46]

"We've had even a couple of patients from Cuba who were put on a boat by Castro just to get them out of the country ? they made their way here through Mexico and Central America basically just to get treated. ..."



Wait a minute here...the Hollywood liberals have been telling us that Cuba has the best health care system in the world.

Now why would these lepers need to be shipped out of Cuba if liberals are telling us the truth?

[rimmont]

The problem isn't so much with Leprosy as with a variety of other diseases brought in by illegals. California has been dealing with this problem since the mid 1980'S.

[JohnBovenmyer]

I should add that what we now call leprosy is NOT what was called that in the Bible. There is no evidence that it was present in the middle east yet in biblical times, although it probably was in India already. Hansen's disease can affect bones in unique ways and the archaeological record is clear on this. There was a lot of it in medieval Europe. Hansen finally found the cause in Norway in the latter 1800s. What was called "leprosy" in the bible was probably several, now distinct, conditions with prominent skin manifestations, such as the common disease we now call psoriasis. Hansen's disease, absent adequate timely treatment, certainly can be a life ruining, disfiguring disease, but it has been treatable for 60 years. People with it are truly innocent victims who did nothing unusual to cause it, unlike some of the more PC current day infections. They deserve sympathy and treatment, not bad jokes better fitting the DU than Free Republic.

[chatham]

""There is no risk of an epidemic of leprosy," he told Columbia. "There's absolutely no risk that the few immigrants who are affected by the disease, if they are diagnosed and treated, will spread the disease in the U.S."

Great Line, if they are diagnosed and treated!!!!!

Does this jerk know that there are upwards of 20,000,000 Illegals have invaded this country and nobody knows where they are or how healthy they are..

Another great add to the Legacy of Jorge W. Bush and his do nothing Policy on the border..

I have voted republican an all my life, Never Again!!!