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Polio Causes Global Health Emergency

Posted by Soulskill on from the polio-2:-the-revenge dept.

mdsolar (1045926) sends this news from Bloomberg: "The spread of polio to countries previously considered free of the crippling disease is a global health emergency, the World Health Organization said, as the virus once driven to the brink of extinction mounts a comeback. Pakistan, Cameroon and Syria pose the greatest risk of exporting the virus to other countries, and should ensure that residents have been vaccinated before they travel, the Geneva-based WHO said in a statement today after a meeting of its emergency committee. It's only the second time the United Nations agency has declared a public health emergency of international concern, after the 2009 influenza pandemic. Polio has resurged as military conflicts from Sudan to Pakistan disrupt vaccination campaigns, giving the virus a toehold. The number of cases reached a record low of 223 globally in 2012 and jumped to 417 last year, according to the WHO. There have been 74 cases this year, including 59 in Pakistan, during what is usually polio's 'low season,' the WHO said. "

5 of 126 comments (clear)

  1. But, but, but⦠autism!!1!11! by the_humeister · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Fuck you Jenny McCarthy and your anti-vax followers.

    1. Re:But, but, but⦠autism!!1!11! by K.+S.+Kyosuke · · Score: 5, Funny

      Fuck you Jenny McCarthy

      I wouldn't do that. What if you catch something? Especially something preventable with vaccination!

      --
      Ezekiel 23:20
  2. Any slap on the wrist for the CIA? by ChilyWily · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It did not help that the CIA had a DNA collection, excuse me, "Intelligence gathering" operative working as a Doctor in one of the countries where the problem is the worst. Now health workers are getting assaulted and the poor who could get vaccinated, are without.

    1. Re:Any slap on the wrist for the CIA? by Em+Adespoton · · Score: 5, Insightful

      What didn't happen was some asshat's desire to demonstrate his knowledge of "inside knowledge" outweighed the oath he or she took to keep their mouth(s) shut.

      It wasn't the method that was used to gather the intelligence that caused the problem, it was the disclosure of that method.

      Right... just like it isn't your fault if you lose business because you're selling clothes that don't actually exist -- it's the fault of the intern who broke his contract to tell people that they weren't wearing any clkothes.

      Shoot the messenger much?

      I'm sorry, but I'll take asshat with integrity over government operation that compromises global health integrity any day.

      After all, what's the problem if there's nothing to hide?

      Also: Doctors also take an oath. This one broke his oath before any other alleged oathbreaking took place (I pledge to uphold the Constitution trumps gag orders/NDAs, the Hippocratic oath trumps both).

  3. Re:non-vaccination in Pakistan by tomhath · · Score: 5, Informative

    Taliban was recommending against polio vaccination long before that, because of rumors it causes sterilization. The CIA collecting DNA in Abbottabad from hepatitis (not polio) vaccinations didn't help though.