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Beriberi kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
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Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
You're asking me to speculate months ahead on an outbreak we have been aware of for less than 24 hours. That's impossible because I don't have much information. It is possible that this is a bud on a larger outbreak, possibly in the civilian population in Somalia, or in Burundi or Uganda, in which case I'm sure we'll hear much more. It's possible this is an exposure to a parasite or toxin, either intentional or otherwise, in which case few further illnesses will be reported, even if the cause is not found. It's possible that this could be contagious, and the next thing we hear is about illnesses among HCW in Nairobi.
Even if we don't get a diagnosis soon, we really do need to know what they symptoms are, and possibly the epidemiology as well, before we can make any predictions.
Unfortunately, I don't have a crystal ball. I just have to wait and see what develops, just like the rest of us. But I am a little freaked out.
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
You're asking me to speculate months ahead on an outbreak we have been aware of for less than 24 hours. That's impossible because I don't have much information. It is possible that this is a bud on a larger outbreak, possibly in the civilian population in Somalia, or in Burundi or Uganda, in which case I'm sure we'll hear much more. It's possible this is an exposure to a parasite or toxin, either intentional or otherwise, in which case few further illnesses will be reported, even if the cause is not found. It's possible that this could be contagious, and the next thing we hear is about illnesses among HCW in Nairobi.
Even if we don't get a diagnosis soon, we really do need to know what they symptoms are, and possibly the epidemiology as well, before we can make any predictions.
Unfortunately, I don't have a crystal ball. I just have to wait and see what develops, just like the rest of us. But I am a little freaked out.
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
And we now get a symptomatic description. Kindey problems. And not all 21 people have the same symptoms or same illness. I now suspect a poisioning, accidental or otherwise. And the wide variety of poisons one might get into in a war zone would be an explanation for why this is undiagnosed.
Also possible is a parasitic illness, with the varying symptoms depending on where in the body the parasites are, and the kidney trouble due to the production of waste.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hB4TdksN-Uup0TZKtvj-oglojldA
Three Burundi soldiers die of mysterious illness
(AFP) – 2 hours ago
BUJUMBURA — Three Burundi soldiers serving with African Union peacekeepers in Somalia have died of a mysterious illness in a Kenyan hospital where more than 10 others are being treated, the army said Friday.
Army chief General Godefroy Niyombare said the soldiers showed different symptoms, but seemd to have kidney problems.
"Three of them have died. More than 10 are hospitalised," Niyombare told AFP. "We are worried."
"They are in varying conditions. They do not exhibit the same symptoms, they mostly have kidney problems," he explained.
Niyombare said doctors will be sent to Mogadishu to carry out tests.
The AU force comprises some 4,300 Burundian and Ugandan troops and have come under relentless attacks by Islamist insurgents who want them out of the war-ravaged Horn of African country.
Copyright © 2009 AFP. All rights reserved
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
And we now get a symptomatic description. Kindey problems. And not all 21 people have the same symptoms or same illness. I now suspect a poisioning, accidental or otherwise. And the wide variety of poisons one might get into in a war zone would be an explanation for why this is undiagnosed.
Also possible is a parasitic illness, with the varying symptoms depending on where in the body the parasites are, and the kidney trouble due to the production of waste.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hB4TdksN-Uup0TZKtvj-oglojldA
Three Burundi soldiers die of mysterious illness
(AFP) – 2 hours ago
BUJUMBURA — Three Burundi soldiers serving with African Union peacekeepers in Somalia have died of a mysterious illness in a Kenyan hospital where more than 10 others are being treated, the army said Friday.
Army chief General Godefroy Niyombare said the soldiers showed different symptoms, but seemd to have kidney problems.
"Three of them have died. More than 10 are hospitalised," Niyombare told AFP. "We are worried."
"They are in varying conditions. They do not exhibit the same symptoms, they mostly have kidney problems," he explained.
Niyombare said doctors will be sent to Mogadishu to carry out tests.
The AU force comprises some 4,300 Burundian and Ugandan troops and have come under relentless attacks by Islamist insurgents who want them out of the war-ravaged Horn of African country.
Copyright © 2009 AFP. All rights reserved
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
Yeah. Or food/water contamined with parasites. There's all the cholera in that area for a reason - horrible hygenic situation. Doesn't sound viral though.
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
Yeah. Or food/water contamined with parasites. There's all the cholera in that area for a reason - horrible hygenic situation. Doesn't sound viral though.
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
While I am not saying that it is H1N1 I think it is important to note that H1N1 has been shown to attack the kidneys.
http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/49017796.html
Healthy Woman Dies Of Swine Flu
By Michael George
MILWAUKEE - Barbara Davis, 48, was healthy just a week ago. She had dinner with her mother Josephine last Friday night. But just hours after that dinner, Josephine got a phone call. ?My friend, he called me and told me Barbara was real sick. And I said, ?Well, she wasn?t sick when I left, so what?s the matter?? Josephine Davis said. Barbara told her mother that she was ok. But the next day, things got worse. She had trouble breathing, and she was shaking. She could barely walk into the hospital. ?She tried to talk to people, but she just couldn?t talk,? Josephine Davis said. Doctors treated her for two days, but they couldn?t save her. They believe she died from swine flu. ?They?ve never seen nothing like that, what she had. That infection just went through her body, attacking her kidney, her lungs, her liver. Everything,? said Josephine Davis. Barbara was a mother of two, and to Josephine, she was more than a daughter. She was a best friend. ?I don?t know how I can take this,? Josephine said. The Milwaukee Health Department confirmed on Friday a Milwaukee adult with no underlying medical conditions died from swine flu, though they haven?t confirmed Barbara Davis was that victim. Barbara?s family knows all too well how serious swine flu can be. ?Everybody is just in a shock. The people that I talked to today, they are frightened. Because it happened all of a sudden,? Josephine Davis said. More than 1,800 people have caught swine flu in Milwaukee alone. The city?s Health Department is stressing that if you are mildly ill with flu symptoms, you should call your doctor. If your symptoms are serious or if you have mild symptoms that are getting worse, you should see a doctor right away.
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
While I am not saying that it is H1N1 I think it is important to note that H1N1 has been shown to attack the kidneys.
http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/49017796.html
Healthy Woman Dies Of Swine Flu
By Michael George
MILWAUKEE - Barbara Davis, 48, was healthy just a week ago. She had dinner with her mother Josephine last Friday night. But just hours after that dinner, Josephine got a phone call. ?My friend, he called me and told me Barbara was real sick. And I said, ?Well, she wasn?t sick when I left, so what?s the matter?? Josephine Davis said. Barbara told her mother that she was ok. But the next day, things got worse. She had trouble breathing, and she was shaking. She could barely walk into the hospital. ?She tried to talk to people, but she just couldn?t talk,? Josephine Davis said. Doctors treated her for two days, but they couldn?t save her. They believe she died from swine flu. ?They?ve never seen nothing like that, what she had. That infection just went through her body, attacking her kidney, her lungs, her liver. Everything,? said Josephine Davis. Barbara was a mother of two, and to Josephine, she was more than a daughter. She was a best friend. ?I don?t know how I can take this,? Josephine said. The Milwaukee Health Department confirmed on Friday a Milwaukee adult with no underlying medical conditions died from swine flu, though they haven?t confirmed Barbara Davis was that victim. Barbara?s family knows all too well how serious swine flu can be. ?Everybody is just in a shock. The people that I talked to today, they are frightened. Because it happened all of a sudden,? Josephine Davis said. More than 1,800 people have caught swine flu in Milwaukee alone. The city?s Health Department is stressing that if you are mildly ill with flu symptoms, you should call your doctor. If your symptoms are serious or if you have mild symptoms that are getting worse, you should see a doctor right away.
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
I take this article as VERY good news. Twelve of the 18 hospitalized soldiers have recovered despite not knowing what the illness was, and more importantly, no new cases were admitted (and it has been over a week). Also of note is that the cases have bee nin Kenya for three weeks. If this was infectious, they likely would have infected someone by now. This definitely looks like a poisoning, whehter intentional or otherwise.
http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/631386/-/ulie7b/-/
Soldiers still hospitalised with mysterious disease
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By JOY WANJAPosted Tuesday, July 28 2009 at 18:26
In Summary
•12 soldiers have recovered and travelled back to Burundi.
Six Burundian soldiers are still admitted at a Nairobi hospital with symptoms of an unidentified illness, an African Union official said on Tuesday.
Gaffel Nkolokosa, spokesman for the AU envoy to Somalia, said 12 soldiers have recovered and had travelled back to Burundi.
“The medical team from the African Union and Burundi Government is investigating the cause of the illness in the contingent,” said Gaffel Nkolokosa, who declined to speculate on the cause of the illness or what the symptoms were.
According to the African Union Mission for Somalia in Nairobi, the soldiers were evacuated from Mogadishu three weeks ago and brought to Kenya for further treatment after exhibiting similar symptoms.
An official at the Burundi Embassy admitted there were some Burundian soldiers in hospital but declined to comment further on the matter saying he was not authorised to speak to the press.
There are 43,000 soldiers from Burundi and Uganda in Mogadishu defending key sites and helping government sources fight off regular attacks from hardline insurgents.
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
I take this article as VERY good news. Twelve of the 18 hospitalized soldiers have recovered despite not knowing what the illness was, and more importantly, no new cases were admitted (and it has been over a week). Also of note is that the cases have bee nin Kenya for three weeks. If this was infectious, they likely would have infected someone by now. This definitely looks like a poisoning, whehter intentional or otherwise.
http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/631386/-/ulie7b/-/
Soldiers still hospitalised with mysterious disease
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Email this article to a friend
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By JOY WANJAPosted Tuesday, July 28 2009 at 18:26
In Summary
•12 soldiers have recovered and travelled back to Burundi.
Six Burundian soldiers are still admitted at a Nairobi hospital with symptoms of an unidentified illness, an African Union official said on Tuesday.
Gaffel Nkolokosa, spokesman for the AU envoy to Somalia, said 12 soldiers have recovered and had travelled back to Burundi.
“The medical team from the African Union and Burundi Government is investigating the cause of the illness in the contingent,” said Gaffel Nkolokosa, who declined to speculate on the cause of the illness or what the symptoms were.
According to the African Union Mission for Somalia in Nairobi, the soldiers were evacuated from Mogadishu three weeks ago and brought to Kenya for further treatment after exhibiting similar symptoms.
An official at the Burundi Embassy admitted there were some Burundian soldiers in hospital but declined to comment further on the matter saying he was not authorised to speak to the press.
There are 43,000 soldiers from Burundi and Uganda in Mogadishu defending key sites and helping government sources fight off regular attacks from hardline insurgents.
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
Leptospirosis is certainly a possiblity, but it shouldn't be this hard to diagnose. But now the total number of cases is over 50, and the disease is spreading. Not good. There is now mention of cases in the Somali population, and the illness is in both Burundi and Ugandan troops. We also have a fourth death, and a more detailed symptomatic description.
This is a bad sign.
http://www.monitor.co.ug/artman/publish/news/UPDF_soldiers_poisoned_in_Somalia_88893.shtml
Kampala
Eight Ugandan soldiers on the Somali peace-keeping mission were by press time still in intensive care at a Nairobi hospital battling a strange ailment suspected to be a result of poisoning.
The soldiers are feared to have been poisoned through water sources by the Islamist fundamentalists, Al Shabaab, who are opposed to the interim government in Somalia and the peace-keeping mission, sources told Daily Monitor.
But Maj. Barigye Ba-Hoku, the African Union Peace Keeping Mission spokesman, yesterday dismissed the poisoning claims. “It’s not true because this ailment is general and it has affected the Somalis outside the camps. It’s not only the peacekeepers,” he said.
“[Kenyan and Amisom] doctors are studying the cause of the illness and they will soon come up with the report,” Maj. Ba-Hoku told Daily Monitor by telephone from Mogadishu.
The infected Ugandan peacekeepers are part of the over 50 who have contracted the ailment that has in the last three weeks hit the Burundian and Ugandan camps in Mogadishu. Al Shabaab early this month claimed they had poisoned Burundian peacekeepers.
Four of the Ugandan soldiers were evacuated from the Somali capital, Mogadishu, and flown to Nairobi on Tuesday for treatment at Nairobi International Hospital, sources who did not want to be named because of the sensitivity of the subject said.
The Ugandan and Burundian camps are about two kilometres apart, each with its water tanks. Last week, the Deputy Amisom Commander, Gen. Juvinele Niyoyunguriza, told a group of Ugandan journalists in Mogadishu that Burundian forces had been infected with a strange disease.
Gen. Niyonyunguriza said 50 soldiers had been admitted and four died at Nairobi International hospital.
Mr Gaffel Nkolokosa of African Union Mission for Somalia in Nairobi yesterday said 12 of the 50 were evacuated from Mogadishu three weeks ago and brought to Kenya for treatment after exhibiting symptoms similar to those of their colleagues who had been admitted. He, however, said they had recovered and returned to Burundi.
According to sources, the Ugandan soldiers had developed fever and skin rash, before developing body organs’ failure.
Amisom Medical Officer James Kiyengo said on Friday that the strange ailment is a bacterial infection caused by rat’s urine. He identified the infection as leptospirosis.
“It is spread by a rat. A rat could have urinated in the water tank. We need to keep hygiene and keep rats off,” he said last week. He said the ailment causes fever and skin rash, but added that its spread can stopped through isolation of cases and giving them dexocycline injections.
Col. Kiyengo said they had received drugs from the Islamic Relief Association in the United States and Korean International Cooperation Agency for treatment of the force and the general Somali community.
Amisom, which comprises 4,300 Ugandan and Burundian soldiers, has come under intense attack from Al Shabaab, who consider the peacekeepers as an occupying force.
Twelve Ugandan peacekeepers have been killed since 2007.
Al Shabaab, a youthful group that has been terrorising Somalis since 2006, has now turned to using both psychological and combat war to scare Somalis from supporting Amisom and the Transitional Federal Government, which has been in place for barely seven months.
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
Leptospirosis is certainly a possiblity, but it shouldn't be this hard to diagnose. But now the total number of cases is over 50, and the disease is spreading. Not good. There is now mention of cases in the Somali population, and the illness is in both Burundi and Ugandan troops. We also have a fourth death, and a more detailed symptomatic description.
This is a bad sign.
http://www.monitor.co.ug/artman/publish/news/UPDF_soldiers_poisoned_in_Somalia_88893.shtml
Kampala
Eight Ugandan soldiers on the Somali peace-keeping mission were by press time still in intensive care at a Nairobi hospital battling a strange ailment suspected to be a result of poisoning.
The soldiers are feared to have been poisoned through water sources by the Islamist fundamentalists, Al Shabaab, who are opposed to the interim government in Somalia and the peace-keeping mission, sources told Daily Monitor.
But Maj. Barigye Ba-Hoku, the African Union Peace Keeping Mission spokesman, yesterday dismissed the poisoning claims. “It’s not true because this ailment is general and it has affected the Somalis outside the camps. It’s not only the peacekeepers,” he said.
“[Kenyan and Amisom] doctors are studying the cause of the illness and they will soon come up with the report,” Maj. Ba-Hoku told Daily Monitor by telephone from Mogadishu.
The infected Ugandan peacekeepers are part of the over 50 who have contracted the ailment that has in the last three weeks hit the Burundian and Ugandan camps in Mogadishu. Al Shabaab early this month claimed they had poisoned Burundian peacekeepers.
Four of the Ugandan soldiers were evacuated from the Somali capital, Mogadishu, and flown to Nairobi on Tuesday for treatment at Nairobi International Hospital, sources who did not want to be named because of the sensitivity of the subject said.
The Ugandan and Burundian camps are about two kilometres apart, each with its water tanks. Last week, the Deputy Amisom Commander, Gen. Juvinele Niyoyunguriza, told a group of Ugandan journalists in Mogadishu that Burundian forces had been infected with a strange disease.
Gen. Niyonyunguriza said 50 soldiers had been admitted and four died at Nairobi International hospital.
Mr Gaffel Nkolokosa of African Union Mission for Somalia in Nairobi yesterday said 12 of the 50 were evacuated from Mogadishu three weeks ago and brought to Kenya for treatment after exhibiting symptoms similar to those of their colleagues who had been admitted. He, however, said they had recovered and returned to Burundi.
According to sources, the Ugandan soldiers had developed fever and skin rash, before developing body organs’ failure.
Amisom Medical Officer James Kiyengo said on Friday that the strange ailment is a bacterial infection caused by rat’s urine. He identified the infection as leptospirosis.
“It is spread by a rat. A rat could have urinated in the water tank. We need to keep hygiene and keep rats off,” he said last week. He said the ailment causes fever and skin rash, but added that its spread can stopped through isolation of cases and giving them dexocycline injections.
Col. Kiyengo said they had received drugs from the Islamic Relief Association in the United States and Korean International Cooperation Agency for treatment of the force and the general Somali community.
Amisom, which comprises 4,300 Ugandan and Burundian soldiers, has come under intense attack from Al Shabaab, who consider the peacekeepers as an occupying force.
Twelve Ugandan peacekeepers have been killed since 2007.
Al Shabaab, a youthful group that has been terrorising Somalis since 2006, has now turned to using both psychological and combat war to scare Somalis from supporting Amisom and the Transitional Federal Government, which has been in place for barely seven months.
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
Lepto is possible, but it would have been diagnosed. A VHF is possible, with the rash due to bleeding under the skin. Fever, rash and multi-organ failure is probably not H1N1. The isolation mentioned seems to suspect contagion, which would rule out possiblities like spotted fever.
This has gone from a good sign to a bad sign as we got more information. It seems that the Burundi military officials were not releasing all the information, whereas Uganda now has. We can only react to the information we have.
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
Lepto is possible, but it would have been diagnosed. A VHF is possible, with the rash due to bleeding under the skin. Fever, rash and multi-organ failure is probably not H1N1. The isolation mentioned seems to suspect contagion, which would rule out possiblities like spotted fever.
This has gone from a good sign to a bad sign as we got more information. It seems that the Burundi military officials were not releasing all the information, whereas Uganda now has. We can only react to the information we have.
Rwilmer
Well-known member
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
Leptospirosis is a very real possibility, have you ever been to these areas? It is very hard to diasnose diseases. Leptospirosis meets every single symptom these people have right down to the kidney failure. It even does renal failure.
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
Leptospirosis is a very real possibility, have you ever been to these areas? It is very hard to diasnose diseases. Leptospirosis meets every single symptom these people have right down to the kidney failure. It even does renal failure.
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
More bad news. Two dead Ugandans raises the death toll to six. Still more of a symptomatic description. Now no mention of kidney failure, but difficulty breathing. That's odd.
http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/12/689604
UPDF in Somalia hit by strange disease
Wednesday, 29th July, 2009 E-mail article Print article
By Vision Reporter
A strange disease has killed two Ugandan peace-keepers in Somalia and affected 17 others who were flown to a hospital in Nairobi yesterday, according to the UPDF.
“One died in Mogadishu on Tuesday evening while another one died on Wednesday morning in Nairobi,” said spokesperson Col. Felix Kulayigye.
“Another 17 are admitted at the intensive care unit of Nairobi Hospital.”
UPDF has dispatched a medical team to Mogadishu to establish the cause of the problem.
“The symptoms are chest pain, fever, headache, swelling of the lower limbs, rapid heart-beat and difficulties in breathing,” said Kulayigye.
“We have no confirmation yet on what disease they are suffering from.” By the end of last week, over 50 Burundians had been hit by the same mysterious disease, killing four.
Dr. Col. James Kiyengo, the force medical officer, on Friday said they suspected the disease to be leptospirosis.
“Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease caused by exposure to water contaminated with the urine of infected animals,” Dr. Kiyengo explained.
“For example, a rat could have urinated in a water tanker and spread the disease.”
Al Shabaab, the Islamist insurgents fighting the Somali government and the peace-keepers, claimed responsibility, saying they had poisoned them.
But the claim was dismissed by medical officers of the African Union peace-keeping force, who said it was a bacterial infection as a result of poor hygiene and living conditions associated with the job.
According to the US Center for Disease Control, leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals.
In humans it causes a wide range of symptoms, such as high fever, severe headache, chills, muscle aches, and vomiting. It may include jaundice (yellow skin), red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, or a rash.
If not treated, the patient could develop kidney damage, meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord), liver failure and respiratory distress.
In rare cases death occurs. Humans become infected through contact with water, food or soil containing urine from infected animals, such as dogs, or rats, according to the US Center for Disease Control.
This may happen by swallowing contaminated food or water, through skin contact, such as the eyes or nose, or contact with broken skin.
The disease is not known to be spread from person to person. The time between a person’s exposure to a contaminated source and becoming sick is about four weeks.
The illness lasts from a few days to three weeks. Without treatment, recovery may take several months. Leptospirosis is an occupational hazard for many people who work outdoors or with animals, such as farmers, veterinarians, fishermen or the military.
Dr. Kiyonga said the disease can be treated with antibiotics and prevented by boiling water and keeping out rats.
There are 4,300 AU peace-keepers in Somalia, of whom 2,700 are Ugandan.
The current Ugandan contingent will be replaced next month. Col. Nathan Mugisha is taking over from Gen. Francis Okello as force commander.
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
More bad news. Two dead Ugandans raises the death toll to six. Still more of a symptomatic description. Now no mention of kidney failure, but difficulty breathing. That's odd.
http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/12/689604
UPDF in Somalia hit by strange disease
Wednesday, 29th July, 2009 E-mail article Print article
By Vision Reporter
A strange disease has killed two Ugandan peace-keepers in Somalia and affected 17 others who were flown to a hospital in Nairobi yesterday, according to the UPDF.
“One died in Mogadishu on Tuesday evening while another one died on Wednesday morning in Nairobi,” said spokesperson Col. Felix Kulayigye.
“Another 17 are admitted at the intensive care unit of Nairobi Hospital.”
UPDF has dispatched a medical team to Mogadishu to establish the cause of the problem.
“The symptoms are chest pain, fever, headache, swelling of the lower limbs, rapid heart-beat and difficulties in breathing,” said Kulayigye.
“We have no confirmation yet on what disease they are suffering from.” By the end of last week, over 50 Burundians had been hit by the same mysterious disease, killing four.
Dr. Col. James Kiyengo, the force medical officer, on Friday said they suspected the disease to be leptospirosis.
“Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease caused by exposure to water contaminated with the urine of infected animals,” Dr. Kiyengo explained.
“For example, a rat could have urinated in a water tanker and spread the disease.”
Al Shabaab, the Islamist insurgents fighting the Somali government and the peace-keepers, claimed responsibility, saying they had poisoned them.
But the claim was dismissed by medical officers of the African Union peace-keeping force, who said it was a bacterial infection as a result of poor hygiene and living conditions associated with the job.
According to the US Center for Disease Control, leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals.
In humans it causes a wide range of symptoms, such as high fever, severe headache, chills, muscle aches, and vomiting. It may include jaundice (yellow skin), red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, or a rash.
If not treated, the patient could develop kidney damage, meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord), liver failure and respiratory distress.
In rare cases death occurs. Humans become infected through contact with water, food or soil containing urine from infected animals, such as dogs, or rats, according to the US Center for Disease Control.
This may happen by swallowing contaminated food or water, through skin contact, such as the eyes or nose, or contact with broken skin.
The disease is not known to be spread from person to person. The time between a person’s exposure to a contaminated source and becoming sick is about four weeks.
The illness lasts from a few days to three weeks. Without treatment, recovery may take several months. Leptospirosis is an occupational hazard for many people who work outdoors or with animals, such as farmers, veterinarians, fishermen or the military.
Dr. Kiyonga said the disease can be treated with antibiotics and prevented by boiling water and keeping out rats.
There are 4,300 AU peace-keepers in Somalia, of whom 2,700 are Ugandan.
The current Ugandan contingent will be replaced next month. Col. Nathan Mugisha is taking over from Gen. Francis Okello as force commander.
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
Lepto is definitely possible, but we await confirmation. The incubation period seems a little short for lepto, and lepto shouldn't produce this many fatalities despite antibiotic treatment.
We should change the name of the thread to reflect the increase in cases and deaths. It's also time to alert ProMed.
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
Lepto is definitely possible, but we await confirmation. The incubation period seems a little short for lepto, and lepto shouldn't produce this many fatalities despite antibiotic treatment.
We should change the name of the thread to reflect the increase in cases and deaths. It's also time to alert ProMed.
Science Teacher
Resident
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
Leptospirosis can cause a rash.
Symptoms of leptospirosis include high fever, severe headache, chills, muscle aches, and vomiting, and may include jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or a rash.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/leptospirosis_g.htm
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
Leptospirosis can cause a rash.
Symptoms of leptospirosis include high fever, severe headache, chills, muscle aches, and vomiting, and may include jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or a rash.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/leptospirosis_g.htm
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
A mutant H1N1 is unlikely, but would be the ultimate nightmare scenario. Some of the symptoms like rash and swelling of the lower limbs don't seem like influenza. The WHO needs to get involved on this one quickly.
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
A mutant H1N1 is unlikely, but would be the ultimate nightmare scenario. Some of the symptoms like rash and swelling of the lower limbs don't seem like influenza. The WHO needs to get involved on this one quickly.
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
And even more cases. This is definitely contagious, as the cases do not have the same onset dates. People are continuing to take ill.
http://observer.ug/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4435&Itemid=59
One UPDF soldier dead, 14 rushed to Nairobi
Latest News
Written by OUR REPORTER
Wednesday, 29 July 2009 14:15
One UPDF soldier has been reported dead and another 14 based in Somalia rushed to Nairobi hospital for medical attention following an attack by a strange illness. AMISON spokesman Maj Bahoku-Barigye confirmed that the soldiers from both Uganda and Burundi were transferred to Nairobi on Tuesday although he could not reveal the exact number nor could he divulge the numbers of those that have died so far. “It is confidential although we are concerned. Safety is a principle here,” he said on phone from Mogadishu. As a principle, the Army first informs the relatives of the dead before going public.
The Observer has learnt that three Burundians have succumbed to death whose cause is still baffling medics from Uganda, Burundi and Nairobi. “We cannot tell the cause of the illness for now. The doctors in Nairobi are investigating. The investigation is general,” Maj Barigye said, adding that those in Mogadishu had failed to get to the root cause of the illness. He however ruled out poisoning saying it could have affected everyone since “we call use the same things”.
“It is not selective,” he said.
Uganda and Burundi are the only African countries to have sent peacekeepers to the war ravaged Somalia. By press time, four other UPDF soldiers were reportedly being picked from the airport.
Re: Mysterious illness kills 3 AU troops; sickens at least 19
And even more cases. This is definitely contagious, as the cases do not have the same onset dates. People are continuing to take ill.
http://observer.ug/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4435&Itemid=59
One UPDF soldier dead, 14 rushed to Nairobi
Latest News
Written by OUR REPORTER
Wednesday, 29 July 2009 14:15
One UPDF soldier has been reported dead and another 14 based in Somalia rushed to Nairobi hospital for medical attention following an attack by a strange illness. AMISON spokesman Maj Bahoku-Barigye confirmed that the soldiers from both Uganda and Burundi were transferred to Nairobi on Tuesday although he could not reveal the exact number nor could he divulge the numbers of those that have died so far. “It is confidential although we are concerned. Safety is a principle here,” he said on phone from Mogadishu. As a principle, the Army first informs the relatives of the dead before going public.
The Observer has learnt that three Burundians have succumbed to death whose cause is still baffling medics from Uganda, Burundi and Nairobi. “We cannot tell the cause of the illness for now. The doctors in Nairobi are investigating. The investigation is general,” Maj Barigye said, adding that those in Mogadishu had failed to get to the root cause of the illness. He however ruled out poisoning saying it could have affected everyone since “we call use the same things”.
“It is not selective,” he said.
Uganda and Burundi are the only African countries to have sent peacekeepers to the war ravaged Somalia. By press time, four other UPDF soldiers were reportedly being picked from the airport.