Crippling disease sweeps Indian Ocean island

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Crippling disease sweeps Indian Ocean island
Jan 19 1:25 PM US/Eastern
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Doctors on the Indian Ocean island of Reunion are battling an epidemic of a crippling mosquito-borne disease that has no known cure, French Health Minister Xavier Bertrand said.

About 7,200 cases of "chikungunya" had been recorded, including 1,600 cases last week alone, the minister told the French upper house.

"It is a major public-health issue," he told senators.

Chikungunya is Swahili for "that which bends up" and refers to the stooped posture of those afflicted by the non-fatal disease for which there is no known vaccine or cure.

Authorities on the volcanic island east of Madagascar, a French overseas department with a population of 760,000, have earmarked 600,000 euros (720,000 dollars) to fight the outbreak, including special mosquito-eradication brigades.

Another Misquito Born Pathogen GREAT with no cure

[smadewell]

oh man.... that's terrible.

i really loath bloodsuckers like fleas, ticks, misquitos, lawyers, politicians, and members of the AMA.

leeches i don't mind, because at least they have some medical value, unlike members of the AMA.

vampire bats i don't mind, because ... well heck! ... hollywood brain-washed me into digging vampire flicks and because we ain't got any here locally -- bats that is.

[snowbird]

vampire bats i don't mind, because ... well heck! ... hollywood brain-washed me into digging vampire flicks and because we ain't got any here locally -- bats that is.

Well, I have to tell you that I had a bat in my house just before Christmas. I live in a century house and some of the walls are down to lathe and plaster, so I'm assuming the animal came in through the walls from the attic.... or maybe it flew in one evening when we had the back door open letting the dog out.

The first time I saw it was near the ceiling in the kitchen (near a hole in the wall). I couldn't believe my eyes and got my new camera out. While focusing, I saw it move it's head and look at me and that was the beginning of pandemonium. It did get behind the fridge and I tried to figure out a way of capturing it, but we made eye contact and I saw its teeth. While I ran around to find something to put it in, it disappeared... probably through another hole in the wall leading to a staircase to the bedrooms. It did a few flypasts upstairs (including in my bedroom) then disappeared. I called a "bat man" at the local university who told me that they like to hibernate for a few days at a time, then fly around for food and water, then back to hibernating.

My hero came home the following weekend just as the bat decided to wake up again (in the middle of the night). It met its maker with a dustpan attached to a broom.

They are fascinating creatures but I'd rather learn about them on the National Geographic program than in my space. I swore my hair stood on end when I saw it flying towards me - their wing span is really wide compared to the size of it when it's hanging, folded up.

There was a time that I was dressed in my winter jacket with the hood tied on real tight and gloves on... besides looking ridiculous, I must have lost 5 pounds from heat and goose-bump energy. Glad that's over and hope there won't be another visit.

snowbird

[Captain Beyond]

Bats are fascinating creatures, creepy as well. They will however keep those pesky 'skeeters' under control though!

[snowbird]

When the kids were small (around 5-10 yrs old), they would go outside at dusk with pieces of Kraft cheese cut in small chunks, throw these chunks into the air and watch as the bats swooped down to catch the cheese. When they're after skeeter, they're so fast in flight that they almost don't register.

Fun times outside, but this poor feller was in MY space. When we made eye contact (with him cocking his head), I really wanted to save him, but I didn't know how. The tide turned when he flew back and forth upstairs and all I registered was the "gigantic" wing span. That was it, end of story.... I don't think he felt a thing...

s.

[Captain Beyond]

I don't blame you snowbird, they are creepy creatures, prolly would have done the same thing