Posted on 02/28/2006 9:13:08 PM PST by neverdem
Associated Press
EL PASO An airman who was training at Fort Bliss for deployment to Iraq died of a deadly virus linked to rodents, an Air Force official said today.
Senior Airman Leonard Hankerson Jr., 24, a security forces patrolman, died Feb. 11 at William Beaumont Army Hospital in El Paso. He was assigned to a squadron at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Ariz.
Autopsy results confirmed last week that Hankerson had hantavirus, said Lt. Col. John Paradis, a Luke Air Force Base spokesman. The disease is transmitted to humans when they inhale particles of dried urine, feces or saliva from an infected rodent.
He said it is unclear how or where Hankerson contracted hantavirus.
Fort Bliss officials have started cleaning barracks and other locations where Hankerson spent time to help prevent any spread of the virus.
Actually I did basic training there beginning Aug. 10 1966.
Hey, Thanks for the update on the number of cases. I thought there were more.
The current drought in the SW may bring the cases up. Also as the urban areas expand into the desert the exposure rate will go up.
I just wonder how many case are not reported.
Ribavirin causes error catastrophe during Hantaan virus replication. It's too bad they needed the autopsy to make the diagnosis.
August at Ft Bliss. You poor soul.
My friends like to mock me for rinsing the tops of cans.
I know, our rifle range was out at White Sands Missile base
Way back when I was president of a Fraternity in Milwaukee, we develped a mouse infestation in our beautiful old mansion. The solution was simple, I offered a bounty of $1 per tail. I think the winner brought in over twenty. Beer money and more ramen noodles.
Next time they mock you, send them here:
http://www.metrokc.gov/health/prevcont/hanta.htm
Hantavirus is really serious disease. It is a BL-4 virus like Ebola.
Biased Doctors? Dont rush to pull out the race card.
Dead cat found with bird flu in Germany
FReepmail me if you want on or off my health and science ping list.
Thanks for the link.
LOL, my thoughts exactly.
Sounds like this poster needs to get a subcription to Rush Limbaugh's "Bad Living" magazine. Where the first issue tells you how to get rid of all of the sharp objects in your home.
Also as the urban areas expand into the desert the exposure rate will go up.
Very true
I just wonder how many case are not reported.
Not many, though in early stages it can be misdiagnosed as just a severe case of the flu. In the Southwest, most doctors and ER's know what to look for. It was first identified as a separate disease in 1993, but has likely been around for years. Some forensic types have have identified earlier cases where the patient had bad flu symptoms which then affected the respiratory system and died which may have been hantavirus. I personally don't believe its a new disease, just more common due to human population increasing here.
Thanks for the ping.
I thoroughly wash the tops of all cans before I open them. I also wash the blade of my electric can opener thoroughly. Seems to me these are two places where you can contaminate food very easily.
Excellent list!
My college roommate is married to a guy who has turned into a recluse. They were "into" recycling right before he just Lost It. He sits around and watches TV and drinks wine all day. I don't think he eats. She can't get him to get help, so basically, we are all watching him kill himself slowly. Their house is full of recycling MESS. Newspapers piled to the ceiling, empty wine boxes, etc. They now have mice. I keep telling her that SHE is going to have to rent a TRUCK and haul that stuff OFF. I offered to help and to help her clean up the house. It is worth over a million dollars IF they would clean it up! They do everything the exact opposite of the way you listed we should do things... and they DO have mice everywhere. Their house stinks. Their neighbors won't talk to them. Their yard looks like a dump. It is sad.
Good job, Associated Press
To Senior Airman Leonard Hankerson Jr. and family
After all the speculation and humor on this thread, I think I may be the first to say 'thank you for your service' and to convey my support to your family at this grievous time.
It's unfortunate that you will be only known as a 'zoomie'.
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