West Nile Virus from Iraq Via Cuba? (My Title)

www.aapsonline.org ^ | 5/15/02

[abigkahuna]

For release May 15, 2002: MEDICAL JOURNAL EXPOSES CUBA'S BIOTERRORISM LINK May Have Been Source of West Nile Virus, Producing Anthrax-Like Toxins

Washington -- Iraq may have unleashed the West Nile Virus in the United States via Cuba through the release of migratory birds infected with the virus, and may be producing antiobiotic-resistant toxins for future attacks, according to two articles published in The Medical Sentinel, The Official Journal of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (Volume 6, Number 4).

In the first, "West Nile Virus - Is Castro's Bioterrorism Threat Being Ignored," author Ernesto F. Betancourt, Castro's Washington Representative in the '50s and former Director of Radio Marti, outlines the possible Cuba-Iraq link.

He cites ornithologist, Carlos Wotzkow, who was fired from Cuba's Institute of Zoology after objecting to the creation of the "Biological Front," an effort to develop viruses that could be carried by host birds or other means into the U.S.

A second article, "Cuba, Castro and Bioterrorism," by Agustín Blazquez, a documentary producer, outlines his claims that "... we clearly see that Castro has used this time to develop weapons of mass destruction in our backyard to be used against us."

Mr. Blazquez cites a previously ignored paper by Dr. Manuel Cereijo, a professor at Florida International University. "In 1992, the [Castro-controlled] Institute of Oceanographic Studies conducted an experiment with the Academy of Sciences to find out which places on the Cuban coast were the best to let bottles and containers reach the United States coast line fastest and most effectively," writes Dr. Cereijo. Further, Dr. Cereijo claims that there are at least 12 Cuban centers producing bacteriological agents located around Havana, and that the U.S. government has had knowledge of these capabilities.

He describes the newest and most notorious, La Fabriquita ("Little Factory") located across the street from the former Naval Hospital. Disguised as an "Animal Feed Plant," one must pass through a station of the Cuban Armed Forces to enter. Dr. Cereijo believes the plant has the capability to produce A-232, an agent more toxic that previous nerve agents, and that La Fabriquita could be producing an anthrax-like toxin totally resistant to antibiotics.

Concludes Mr. Blazquez, "The blackmail potential that this represents renders the U.S. and its people in grave danger and in an almost impotent situation."   Other Links "West Nile Virus - Is Castro's Bioterrorism Threat Being Ignored" - by Ernesto F. Betancourt "Cuba, Castro and Bioterrorism" - by Augustin Blazquez Medical Journal Exposes Cuba's Failed Doctor Diplomacy," News Release, 10/11/2000 Doctor Diplomacy Requires Red Pledge, WND.com article - 2/20/2001

[genefromjersey]

A lot of migratory hawks were infected, but crows were the most common.What is more likely to have been brought in and released ( in the NY metro area ) was infected mosquitos.

[okie01]

"This argues against the idea that migratory birds were infected in Cuba and then flew to New York City."

My thought, as well.

"Iraq may have unleashed the West Nile Virus in the United States via Cuba through the release of migratory birds infected with the virus..."

Thus, the article's initial premise is not credible. That's not to say Iraq, or even Cuba, isn't involved. But the migratory methodology was almost certainly not employed.

[lavaroise]

Because there's nothing remotely resembling credible proof Iraq is directly involved in any of them, and it's a fairly far-fetched concept that West Nile is Iraq; for a "WMD" attack it's pretty pathetic in effectiveness.

So we should let them experiment on us or ignore the capacity and authority of Cuba in causing the West Nile virus crisis? When is America going to grow a spine indeed. This is not just trade give or take deal. There is no such thing as a market value for inalienable sovereignty.

[lavaroise]

Thus, the article's initial premise is not credible. That's not to say Iraq, or even Cuba, isn't involved. But the migratory methodology was almost certainly not employed.

So the burden of proof lays on those who are seeing a death threat on America? or should it be on those who see nothing wrong? This is the way Challenger blew up by the way, because the engineer in question could not prove that it was going to blow up.

[okie01]

Whatever are you talking about?

I haven't discounted the involvement of Iraq (or Cuba) in the WNV outbreak a whit.

On the other hand, it appears this particular article's premise (the use of migratory birds to spread the virus from Cuba to the U.S.) is clearly mistaken.

If they did it, they did it some other way. O.K.?