Last week, President Obama announced an ambitious "and expensive" plan that effectively placed the U.S. military at the forefront of the global fight against the worst Ebola outbreak in history. As those military doctors and officials begin what will be a difficult task, among the challenges they face are rumors that spread fear " ear of Ebola, fear of quarantine measures and fear of doctors. Already, several medical workers have been murdered in Guinea" throats slit, bodies dumped in a latrine. Then six Red Thingy Cross volunteers were attacked earlier this week while they tried to collect the body of an Ebola victim.
And now, in what may plant further seeds of mistrust and suspicion, a major Liberian newspaper, the Daily Observer, has published an article by a Liberian-born faculty member of a U.S. university implying the epidemic is the result of bioterrorism experiments conducted by the United States Department of Defense, among others.
If you can't contribute intelligently to solve a problem you can always be a rabble-rouser...
The piece purports to describe scientific findings from various "reports," which are not cited in detail, and even references the bestselling thriller, "The Hot Zone."
"Reports narrate stories of the US Department of Defense (DoD) funding Ebola trials on humans, trials which started just weeks before the Ebola outbreak in Guinea and Sierra Leone," wrote Delaware State University associate professor Cyril Broderick.
Under the headline, "Ebola, AIDS Manufactured by Western Pharmaceuticals, US DoD?", it says: "the U.S., Canada, France, and the U.K. are all implicated in the detestable and devilish deeds that these Ebola tests are. There is a need to pursue criminal and civil redress for damages."
Worse, in the same breath, the semi-intelligible
...ah, the Post, always soft-pedaling...
article suggests groups trying to stop the epidemic " enters for Disease Control, the World Health Organization and Doctors Without Borders" are all somehow in on it. The piece puts them on a list of those "implicated in selecting and enticing African countries to participate in the testing events."
Broderick, who is listed as an associate professor in the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Delaware State University, defended his article in a brief interview with The Washington Post. "There are many references to what was contained in my letter," he said. "You may read the letter and double-check the sources listed. They are available and legitimate."
Prof. Broderick is a tenured associate professor at DSU. He's a plant physiologist. There is nothing in his professional background that would convey expertise in clinical medicine, virology, clinical epidemiology, disease prevention, or tropical diseases. Apparently he's pretty good with soybeans.
But are they? Broderick drew on research published in several conspiracy Web sites, including Global Research and Liberty Beacon. He discussed a 1996 book called "Emerging Viruses: AIDS & Ebola "Nature, Accident or Intentional?," written by a man who called himself a "humanitarian, clinician, prophet, scholar and natural healer." One of Broderick's sources claimed Tulane University, which once worked on test kits for hemorrhagic fever in West Africa, has "been active in the African areas where Ebola is said to have broken out in 2014."
If you're developing a clinical test kit for hemorrhagic fever at some point you go to places where you'll find hemorrhagic fever...
"Ebola has a terrible history, and testing has been secretly taking place in Africa," Broderick wrote, going on to praise the famous Ebola account "The Hot Zone" as "heart-rending," but written "to be politically correct."
Broderick declined to answer whether he is concerned his article, published in Liberia's Ebola-devastated capital, would convince locals that Western doctors are trying to harm them. "I refer you to the articles and reports published," he said. "I hope you can understand them. They are unambiguous. I am happy that our government has taken the lead in counteracting the infection to curtail the infections and death."
He's a crackpot. He has no knowledge, and his quotation of these 'sources' is an embarrassment to academia.
His claims represent a pervasive, pernicious and crippling problem facing the fight against Ebola: misinformation. Across Liberia and Sierra Leone, where the CDC fears Ebola could eventually infect 1.4 million people, there is such distrust of the medical community that some don't even think Ebola exists.
Some in West Africa, reported the Economist, "fear that the government wants to sell the blood of Ebola patients, or that it will remove patients' limbs for ritual purposes. Others think health workers will inject them with Ebola; or that the ubiquitous chlorine disinfectant spray will give them the disease; or simply the virus is an invention to help the government bring in donations."
Broderick's article played on those fears and attempted to substantiate them. By drawing from conspiracy-obsessed American sources "one of which said the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, were planned by the American elite" its author took rumors circulating in the United States and injected them squarely into the most Ebola-ravaged place on Earth.
Such rumors are "commonplace" in Liberia's capital, according to Ramen IR, an international affairs blog: "They become strengthened through mass dissemination and the credibility gained through publication. The public is then mobilized through misinformation. This tendency is especially high in post-conflict zone like Liberia, where the 14-year civil war still fills the country with memories of violence distrust."
"Unfortunately," Ramen IR wrote, "articles like Dr. Broderick's commonly circulate in Liberia's local media."
Many readers of the article were equally critical of Broderick's reasoning. "These are the kinds of publications which are going to do more harm to our fight against Ebola than good," one said. "Dr. Broderick could have waited till this thing was contained before publishing his speculations. Dr. Broderick has inadvertently placed an anti-Ebola weapon in the hands of ebola skeptics!"
Said another: "My God, this is why Liberians will continue to die, they can believe every half wit who writes with a dictionary and a cut and paste right click of the mouse. Dr. Broderick, I felt sorry for you but I am angry, amazed, and totally shocked at your ignorance."
"It does not take research to discover this professor is a crack pot," wrote another.
Posted by: Steve White ||
09/26/2014 09:35 ||
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Apparently he's pretty good with soybeans.
And also works with nuts. Once upon a time, being a professor was a respectable job.
#6
The Marburg virus variants (including Ebola) have been around a long time. just because the virus types were first isolated in the 1960's-70's doesn't mean that's when they began. They were typically contracted by eating 'bush-meat' (like monkeys and bats), which didn't become accepted in the populated areas until about then.
They are quick-acting viruses that kill their hosts in a relatively short period of time, which makes me think that they're of a very ancient origin. The newer viruses have evolved to keep their hosts around longer.
Posted by: Mullah Richard ||
09/26/2014 12:23 Comments ||
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#8
which makes me think that they're of a very ancient origin.
Although we should not dignify this douche's remarks with an intelligent response, that's a good thought which is suggested by the Ebola genome itself. It's RNA, and also among the tiniest of any virus: 19 kbp, 7 genes. Like a bicycle, compared to some viruses that are as complex as a jet airplane. So rudimentary, it could have self-assembled in the primordial soup.
Marburg and Ebola emerged as the population grew and development expanded, encroaching into pristine wilderness. The ecology changed, animal hosts picked it up, and here we are. Pretty simple. No conspiracy theories necessary.
#11
Ebola Virus - An outbreak of this hemorrhagic infection in West Africa has sparked headlines - and concern - around the world. Rear Adm. Joyce Johnson, D.D., explains the basics of Ebola. Military Officer magazine, Oct 2014.
Television and newspaper reports have featured almost daily updates on the current outbreak of Ebola virus disease (formerly known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever) in West Africa. During this outbreak, the disease has had a case fatality rate of about 55 percent.
Ebola virus disease is caused by a virus of the Filoviridae family. It first was identified in 1976 in what is not the Dominican Republic of the Congo and almost simultaneously in the Sudan. The first cases were recognized near the Ebola River. There have been sporadic outbreaks in Africa since then.
Animals, especially bats and primates, harbor the virus. Some theorize bats were the vector in this outbreak and transmitted the disease to one or more humans. Since then, the virus has been transmitted through bodily fluids and secretions such as saliva, blood, sweat, urine, stool, semen, and breast milk. Objects that have been contaminated with body fluids of an infected person, such as soiled laundry or used hypodermic needles, also can transmit the disease. Cases have been transmitted both in health care settings and in the community.
The first symptoms of an Ebola infection usually are fever, weakness, headache, and joint and muscle aches, Gastrointestinal symptoms include stomach pain, lack of appetite, diarrhea, and vomiting. Some patients might have respitory symtoms, including cough, sore throaty, difficulty breathing, and chest pain. A rash, red eyes, and difficulty swallowing might occur. As with other hemorrhagic fevers, bleeding inside and outside the body is also common.
The usual incubation period (time from exposure to onset of symptoms) is eight to 10 days but can range from two to 21 days. A person can transmit the disease for a long period - from the early fever stage through the late stages and post-mortem. In this outbreak, it seems some transmission has occurred during funeral rituals involving contact with a deceased body.
Ebola can be difficult to diagnose. The early symptoms are similar to many other diseases. Thus, a laboratory diagnosis is necessary to confirm infection. Several blood tests can be performed at various stages in the course of the infection.
Ebola is not susceptible to available antiviral agents. Treatment is supportive care such as maintaining oxygen and blood pressure, treating any concurrent infections, and maintaining fluids and electrolytes. Prevention involves avoiding contaminated body fluids or objects that have been contaminated with fluids.
- Rear Amd. Joyce Johnson, USPHS (Ret), D.O. M.A., is a health care consultant in Chevy Chase, Md.
[Ynet] Egypt's 2013-14 current account deficit shrank dramatically to $2.4 billion in the 2013-14 fiscal year from $6.4 billion the previous year, boosted by billions of dollars in foreign transfers, the central bank said on Thursday.
Arab Gulf countries have supported Egypt with aid worth billions of dollars in the form of financial support and oil products since former army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sissi deposed Islamist President Mohammed Mursi after mass protests last July.
Four NATO warships are due in the Black Sea in the next several days ahead of an international maritime exercise to include Ukraine, according to press reports and information from the U.S. Navy, USNI News reported.
Guided missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG-71) was scheduled to transit the Bosphorus Strait today - U.S. 6th Fleet annouced - as well as the French frigate Commandant Birot (F796).
"Ross' presence in the Black Sea serves to demonstrate the United States' commitment to strengthening the collective security of NATO allies and partners in the region," according to a release from U.S. 6th Fleet. "The ship is scheduled to work alongside NATO allies and partners in the region during its time in the Black Sea, enhancing interoperability and improving regional security."
The Canadian Navy's Halifax-class frigate HMCS Toronto (FFH-333) and the Spanish guided missile frigate Almirante Juan de Borbón (F-102) are due in the Black Sea in by Sept. 7, according to a Wednesday report by the Russian news agency Itar-Tass.
Guided missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG-72) departed the Black Sea on Aug. 26.
The ships are scheduled to support the latest iteration of exercise Sea Breeze, which will kick off on Sept. 8 and run until Sept. 10, Pentagon spokesman Col. Steve Warren told reporters on Wednesday. The exercise will focus on basic naval skills including maritime interdiction operations, force protection, navigation and humanitarian and disaster relief missions, a defense official told USNI News.
A separate land-based exercise - Rapid Trident - has been scheduled in the next weeks in Ukraine at at the International Peacekeeping and Security Center located in Yavoriv, Warren said on Wednesday.
French signals intelligence ship Dupuy de Lôme (A759), is reported in the Black Sea, as part of an ongoing presence mission following the Russian seizure of the Crimea region of Ukraine in March.
All warship from countries without a coast on the Black Sea operate under the 1936 Montreux Convention Regarding the Regime of the Straits. Montreux rules call for foreign warships to depart the Black Sea after 21 days. With a steady rotation of assets, the number of NATO ships in the Black Sea has been up to nine - the highest level in several decades.
Posted by: Steve White ||
09/26/2014 00:00 ||
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ROE for when the ineveitable Russian paractice runs start?
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/26/2014 12:05 Comments ||
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[DAWN] A political gathering is pelted with bricks; the house or vehicle of someone with a political background is vandalised; a state institution like PTV is broken into; who is responsible for this politically motivated violence in Pakistain?
Of course, it's Gullu Butt(s).
The chubby, handlebar-moustached man who made his first public appearance on June 17 in Model Town, Lahore, and smashed half a dozen vehicles parked around the Minhajul Koran Secretariat; refuses to go away from public discourse, political speeches and even news 'analyses'.
Already with more than 10,000 downloads of a game named 'Gullu', the word 'gullu' is now likely to make its way to the Oxford Dictionary as a term standing for the disruptive behaviour of someone enjoying (whether explicit or implicit) backing of the ruling/powerful segments of society.
Explore: Gullu Butt: An Auto-smashing-biography
Syed Shamim Azam, a linguist from Lahore, has been watching the Gullu phenomenon since it hit the TV screens on June 17.
He wrote to Oxford Dictionaries for including the word 'gullu' in its upcoming edition for Pakistain and India, considering that events have certainly established the semantic value of the word.
The publishers say that if "the term achieves enormous currency with a wide audience in a much shorter space of time, and people expect to find the new 'high-profile' word in their dictionaries, it sure is included in the dictionary".
Azam sees a strong case for bringing in 'gullu' as a common noun in dictionaries, for its popular usage and widespread appeal and understanding of a certain phenomenon in the Pak society. He says,
Whenever someone or something is threatened or harmed by the cronies of powerful figures, the violent actors are referred to 'gullus', and without any further explaining, the usage of the word is properly encoded and decoded by the public.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/26/2014 00:00 ||
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Especially for James, who'd asked recently if there was anything untrained villagers can do to reduce their chance of infection.
[IsraelTimes] About Ebola, an app built using a programming platform developed in Israel and abroad, is providing medical workers in the field with what is turning out to be one of their most effective tools available for preventing the alarming spread of Ebola in the villages of in West Africa. Using the Snapp platform, it took volunteers only about three days to build a mobile app that provides information on what Ebola is, what to do if symptoms associated with Ebola appear, and how to avoid catching it in the first place.
Most important, said Asaf Kindler of Snapp -- the platform is so easy to use that it was a simple matter for volunteers to reprogram for the languages used by villagers in the back-country villages of Liberia, Sierra Leone, and other affected countries -- languages like Jola, Krio, Liberian English, and Wolof. "It's essential that people understand exactly what is going on, and to do that you have to communicate with them in their own language," said Kindler. "Using Snapp, anyone can build an app by clicking on a few buttons on their mobile device, so it was easy for the volunteers to install the languages into their app."
Basic knowledge and practice of hygiene can stop its spread, experts say.
Conservative estimates say about 6,000 people have been infected with the virulent disease, and predictions of its spread quote numbers of 1.4 million and more. The death rate is at least 50 percent. Basic knowledge and practice of hygiene can stop its spread, experts say.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/26/2014 21:57 Comments ||
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#5
Actually, Mr. Speanter Elmirong2732, I'm Jewish. We consider thumping the bible to be extremely disrespectful. James is a Christian, I believe, but I suspect he doesn't thump his bible, either. It's not the kind of thing physicists do.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
Last week, President Obama announced an ambitious "and expensive" plan that effectively placed the U.S. military at the forefront of the global fight against the worst Ebola outbreak in history. As those military doctors and officials begin what will be a difficult task, among the challenges they face are rumors that spread fear " ear of Ebola, fear of quarantine measures and fear of doctors. Already, several medical workers have been murdered in Guinea" throats slit, bodies dumped in a latrine. Then six Red 
[DAWN] A political gathering is pelted with bricks; the house or vehicle of someone with a political background is vandalised; a state institution like PTV is broken into; who is responsible for this politically motivated violence in Pakistain?
