Category Archives: Fail!

H9N2 influenza virus in China: a cause of concern – duh? Infectious Diseases 2014 | Infectious diseases | Poultrymed

Industry just does not get it! Influenza viruses are not accidents, something un-natural to be exterminated somehow. These viruses and diseases like them is the natural system’s means of maintaining a balance in ecosystems. Human efforts to industrialize the raising of many different types of poultry for

profit continuously triggers “disease” responses from the natural system. Humans cannot alter this but we can learn to “farm” differently, in a manner that does not trigger “disease” responses. Trying to outsmart or bypass nature is a fools’ game that sometimes buys a bit of time for massive profit which is followed by unexpected results and humans pay with death from diseases that pass on to humans or massive die-offs that cause starvation.

 

H9N2 influenza virus has become endemic in different types of terrestrial poultry in multiple countries on the Eurasian continent, resulting in great economic losses due to reduced egg production or high mortality associated with co-infection with other pathogens. In China, which is regarded as an epicenter of avian influenza viruses, the H9N2 virus has been detected in multiple avian species. The first outbreak of the H9N2 influenza virus in China occurred in Guangdong province of Southern China during November 1992 to May 1994. These H9N2 viruses killed broilers with mortality of 10%-40%, and reduced the laying rates by 14%-75%. The H9N2 influenza virus is now the most revalent subtype of influenza viruses in chickens in China. H9N2 infections occur throughout the whole year, with lower morbidity in the summer. To prevent H9N2 infection in chickens, China implemented long-term vaccination programs in chicken farms as early as 1998. At least over twenty different commercial vaccines are used in China, with the vaccines are frequently updated. However, H9N2 avian influenza viruses continues to persist in chicken populations, even in vaccinated flocks.

via H9N2 influenza virus in China: a cause of concern | Infectious Diseases 2014 | Infectious diseases | Poultrymed.

A woman among three arrested on suspicion of attacking IOF soldiers

FalastiNews reported that the Israeli Occupation Forces on Wednesday arrested Aida Jabareen (30) after stopping her vehicle at a makeshift checkpoint east of Hebron, and accusing her of planning to carry out hit-and-run attack against soldiers.

Aida was then arrested and taken to an unknown detention center.

via A woman among three arrested on suspicion of attacking IOF soldiers.

Chikungunya and Dengue Fever: A Public Health Responsibility | Petchary’s Blog

When it first arrived, it was made light of. “You’ll have pains for about three days, maybe a rash, then you’ll get better and will be immune to further attacks.” Not so for many, including myself. Those of us over 45 may take 1 to 2 or more months to get over the acute phase. After that there is the possibility of the subacute phase with arthritis and the possibility of disorders of the blood vessels. Then there is the chronic phase, occurring beyond 3 months and persisting for 2 -3 years. The symptoms include prolonged and severe arthritis, fatigue, body weakness, and depression (no wonder, with the prospect of these symptoms for 3 years!) The chronic phase occurs in 13% of people who contract the disease. If 2 million people in Jamaica contract it, that means that about 260,000 will be affected for up to 3 years. More tragically, many people have died. Yes, they had other conditions such as sickle cell, hypertension and diabetes, or were undergoing cancer treatment, but without chickV they would still be alive.

I think it is gross negligence on the part of WHO, PAHO and the Jamaican Ministry of Health, who were aware of this disease 2 years ago, to have done nothing. The least they could have done was to mount a public education campaign in the media, schools, churches and business places. The usual cry is that there is no money, but this outbreak has cost far more than a public education campaign would have. A public education campaign, at minimum could give the following information, which could be presented in simpler or more sophisticated ways depending on the audience.

via Chikungunya and Dengue Fever: A Public Health Responsibility | Petchary’s Blog.

U.S. Sailors Assaulted by Turkish Nationalists in Istanbul – NYTimes.com

As the sailors broke free, their assailants chased them and shouted “Yankee go home!” and “Down with U.S. imperialism!”

The United States Embassy in Ankara issued a strong condemnation. “The video showing an assault on three visiting American sailors is appalling,” it said in a statement published on Twitter. “While we respect the right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression, we condemn today’s attack in Istanbul.”

The Turkish government’s immediate response to the assault was conspicuously less forceful.

via U.S. Sailors Assaulted by Turkish Nationalists in Istanbul – NYTimes.com.

Mali Reports a Second, Larger Ebola Outbreak – NYTimes.com

The first case in the new outbreak was a 70-year-old religious figure, a grand imam, who fell ill in Guinea and traveled to Mali for better treatment at a major private clinic in Bamako, Mali’s capital.

He died there on Oct. 27, and because of his importance, his body was washed at a large Bamako mosque before being returned to Guinea for burial.

But the Pasteur Clinic, where he was treated, failed to diagnose Ebola as the underlying cause of the kidney failure it was treating him for. According to a World Health Organization description of the case, numerous tests were performed, but not one for Ebola.

It was only realized how infectious he was after a nurse at the clinic fell ill and died, and when the chief W.H.O. representative in Mali heard from his counterparts in Guinea that the imam’s family members were dying.

“It was a real failure by the clinic,” said Dr. Ibrahima Soce Fall, the W.H.O. Mali team leader, in a telephone interview.

via Mali Reports a Second, Larger Ebola Outbreak – NYTimes.com.

Israeli forces order arrest of a 2-year-old child from Jerusalem

Zidani family from Silwan neighborhood South the old city of Jerusalem, was shocked to hear the order of Israeli forces arresting their 2-year-old son, Hamza Zidani on Monday.

The family denied the order, when an Israeli occupation intelligence officer stormed into their house, kidnapped another son of the Family, Mohammad, and stole three computers.

Later, Israeli intelligence told the family that their youngest son, Hamza, was also ordered for kidnap, while the family rejected the order.

According to Defence for Children International Palestine, the number of Palestinian children in Israeli prisons reached 230 during the year of 2014, and children between the ages of 12-15 years reached about 36.

Israel has kidnapped Palestinian adults and minors, either for throwing stones, or for no charge at all.

Each year, occupation tightens the screws on Palestinians, and exerts pressure on them to leave their homes, especially in Silwan area in Jerusalem, to extend the building of Israeli settlements in the area.

The kidnap campaigns are getting wider and including two-year-olds, to exert pressure on Palestinian families.

via Israeli forces order arrest of a 2-year-old child from Jerusalem.

Ayotzinapa (Guerrero) – Show all the corruption and lies of those who have turned away from God and from the truth – Fides News Agency

Campeche (Agenzia Fides) – “We live in a very corrupt country, where the people and the politicians are not interested in living in the truth” complained the Bishop of Campeche, His Exc. Mgr. José Francisco Gonzalez, in his homily on Sunday November 9, during the Mass celebrated in the Cathedral. The Bishop recalled the massacre of the students in Ayotzinapa (Guerrero) with these words: “What happened in Iguala is not an isolated case”. Then he asked everyone not to cover or protect anyone, but rather, to point out and denounce irresponsible politicians, as it is necessary to show the corruption and the lies they live in because they have turned away from God and the truth. Finally, he recalled that “Jesus cleansed the Temple, which had become a den of thieves and corrupt people, and that is what is lacking in our country”.

Agenzia Fides continues to receive the reactions of missionaries and Catholic communities throughout Mexico with regards to the terrible story of the 43 students in Ayotzinapa (see Fides 10/10/2014). In Veracruz His Exc. Mgr. Eduardo Patiño Leal, Bishop of Córdoba, on Sunday urged: “We must unite all in Mexico, and say enough is enough to these gangs”. The country suffers great pain because of the cruelty with which organized crime operates in collusion with members of the municipal police, as for the alleged execution of 43 students in Ayotzinapa. According to sources of Fides, the Bishop pointed out that Mexican society is harmed by such crimes that mostly remain unresolved .

While demonstrations continue against the corrupt authorities, in Iguala, about thirty families have joined the Catholic faithful and other lay organizations to continue to search the remains of the missing persons in the area. The “Frente Igualteco por la Dignidad y la Paz Social” called on all families to break the silence and abandon the fear in which they lived under the administration of Mayor Abarca Velazquez, who was arrested on the assumption related to the criminal gang Guerreros Unidos, to find the mass graves and give Christian burial to the remains of so many missing family members.

via Show all the corruption and lies of those who have turned away from God and from the truth – Fides News Agency.

Is Jerusalem the Palestinians’ last battle? | Opinion , Columnist | THE DAILY STAR

Jerusalem today for Palestinians is about the battle between Israel’s attempts to Judaize the city after formally “annexing” it (which virtually the whole world does not recognize) and the Palestinian insistence on resisting the Zionist efforts to control and own the land of mandated Palestine. This battle has been taking place for nearly a century now. Israeli settlers have been trying for years to move into Arab areas of Jerusalem, like Silwan and Sheikh Jarrah, either by buying homes surreptitiously or forcibly by inhabiting real estate that Israel declares to be state-owned. Because the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization (the two overlapping but moribund leadership agencies for Palestinians) are not present in Jerusalem, the Arab residents of the city are on their own in defending their homes and lands.

via Is Jerusalem the Palestinians’ last battle? | Opinion , Columnist | THE DAILY STAR.

Nigeria slams US refusal of arms to fight Boko Haram | News , World | THE DAILY STAR

ummmm – Let’s see now – who is in charge in Nigeria, who has an army that is well armed but has done little to protect people in the north and the government has done little to accommodate the needs of people in the north? So, where does the fault lay and with whom?

The ambassador however insisted the fault lay with Washington.

“The US government has up till today refused to grant Nigeria’s request to purchase lethal equipment that would have brought down the terrorists within a short time,” he said.

“There is no use giving us the type of support that enables us to deliver light jabs to the terrorists when what we need to give them is the killer punch,” he said.

Washington’s allegations of widespread human rights abuses by the Nigerian army “cannot be substantiated by facts,” Adefuye said, adding “half-truths” had been spread by Jonathan’s rivals and human rights groups with an agenda.

“The terrorists threaten our corporate existence and territorial integrity,” the ambassador said, urging members of the Council on Foreign Relations to plead Nigeria’s case with the US administration.

“A friend in need is a friend indeed. The true test of friendship is in the times of adversity.”

via Nigeria slams US refusal of arms to fight Boko Haram | News , World | THE DAILY STAR.