Great! Now they're bringing in leprosy....

[Walt34]

This country needs to get serious about border control:

Leprosy outbreak causes concerns in Northwest Arkansas

SPRINGDALE - The medical community is warning the public: a leprosy outbreak in Springdale could blossom into an epidemic, if something isn't done soon.

Doctors say at least nine cases of leprosy have been confirmed in Springdale. Local doctors say they would be shocked by even one case of leprosy in their entire career, so they say something must be done soon, in order to stop leprosy's spread.

Springdale MD Jennifer Bingham says, "my initial response was: I am shocked. I am shocked we are seeing this. It's a true reason to be very worried."

Medical specialists say the Marshall Islands have the most cases of leprosy, in the world. And the city with the largest number of Marshallese people, outside the Marshall islands, is Springdale. And Bingham says, it makes sense, then, that leprosy is spreading to the city. "It's from the Marshall islands; that's why we're seeing it."

Bingham says she is all for Marshallese people entering the United States, after proper medical tests. But whether they're immigrants or not, she says people must stick to treatment, when infected. And she says, when she treats those from the Marshall Islands, this doesn't happen. "We're not getting the compliance that is absolutely essential to take care of this process."

Bingham says without cooperation, leprosy, which has no vaccine, and is transmitted through the air, will spread, and could easily become an epidemic. "People absolutely should be concerned. What I'm afraid of, is when people start thinking about it enough, it will already be out of control."

So now, Bingham, and others like Mayoral candidate Nancy Jenkins, say government help is the next step. Jenkins says she's angered the federal government has been so lax with border patrol. She says, "We've just opened the borders and said, 'Come on in! Bring your diseases! Bring 'em!' Why are we doing that? Those who have it need to be quarantined and treated, or sent back to their country."

 

[dumpster56]

Yes that was what Ellis Island was back in the day. There was a place for the sick and infectious before they were allowed to enter the country. Many were sent back and refused entry.

Oh well .... Times have changed the dems want votes the repubs want cheap labor.

 

[twaddle]

Xenophobia increases during recessions. I suspect we'll be hearing a lot more of this sentiment in the coming months.

 

[Walt34]

A legitimate concern is not xenophobia. There is no cure. People who harbor leprosy must take their meds or they are a threat to others, and it is pure selfishness on their part to refuse to do so. Just like the people who have AIDS and refuse to take precautions.

 

[dumpster56]

Xenophobia increases during recessions. I suspect we'll be hearing a lot more of this sentiment in the coming months.

What was ellis island ?? Xenophobia?? I don't think so. I believe the melting pot is full at this time. It might be time for some to take a number and wait their turn to enter.

 

[Notmuchlonger]

A legitimate concern is not xenophobia. There is no cure. People who harbor leprosy must take their meds or they are a threat to others, and it is pure selfishness on their part to refuse to do so. Just like the people who have AIDS and refuse to take precautions.

I agree with you Walt. Id be concerned if I live in that area.

 

[twaddle]

Sure, disease control is a Good Thing. Regardless of whether the disease originates from inside or outside of our borders.

But something like this could have just as easily happened from an American traveling someplace, getting sick, and infecting people when she came home. So if you want health screening, it shouldn't be limited to immigrants, right? Border control isn't the answer. But I still think we'll see more reports like this.

 

[dex]

Xenophobia increases during recessions. I suspect we'll be hearing a lot more of this sentiment in the coming months.

So does pomposity, and I expect it to increase also.

 

[twaddle]

So does pomposity, and I expect it to increase also.

A tidal wave of pomposity? Hmm, how would that manifest itself?

Would people start talking with fake British accents? Wearing top hats to the beach?

I kinda like the idea.

 

[TromboneAl]

All it would take would be one illegal immigrant from Mexico with leprosy, and people would freak out.

 

[Caroline]

quote]But something like this could have just as easily happened from an American traveling someplace, getting sick, and infecting people when she came home. [/quote]

Yeah, whatever DID happen to that guy who knowingly traveled with TB? Remember he went to Italy for his wedding, and then snuck across the Canadian border, or something?

How 'bout we close the borders -- going BOTH ways!

 

[Gumby]

I couldn't get the link to work, but how do we know they are here illegally? Even legal immigrants can bring diseases (as can American citizens returning from vacation). Seems more like a public health issue than an immigration issue.

 

[Coach]

I'm with Twaddle on this one -- local news catering to xenophobia. From Wikipedia:

Persistent obstacles to the elimination of the disease include improving detection, educating patients and the population about its cause, and fighting social taboos about a disease for which patients have historically been considered "unclean" or "cursed by God" as outcasts. Where taboos are strong, patients may be forced to hide their condition (and avoid seeking treatment) to avoid discrimination. The lack of awareness about Hansen's disease can lead people to falsely believe that the disease is highly contagious and incurable.

Coach

 

[SteveR]

From Coach:
"Persistent obstacles to the elimination of the disease include improving detection, educating patients and the population about its cause, and fighting social taboos about a disease for which patients have historically been considered "unclean" or "cursed by God" as outcasts. Where taboos are strong, patients may be forced to hide their condition (and avoid seeking treatment) to avoid discrimination. The lack of awareness about Hansen's disease can lead people to falsely believe that the disease is highly contagious and incurable.

Coach "

Well I guess the same could be said of AIDS/HIV except in the case of AIDS/HIV it IS incurable but can be controlled through various drug cocktails. But, the stigma associated with AIDS.HIV is still very strong despite the fact that you can get it from many sources other than the obvious ones.

Back in the mid-80's when AIDS was first "discovered" there was a call to Quarantine those with the disease to prevent its' spread...a Public Health preventive measure...but was dismissed due to political fallout. The laws are still on the books to Quarantine folks with certain diseases but it is rarely done these days. But, perhaps there are some cases when it would be a good alternative to infecting the general population if the infected individual(s) were easily determined and small in number. The downside, of course, would be that it would require significant testing to determine who is infected which could be seen as an infringement of human rights.

So, which is worse...quarantining a few to save the many or allowing the few their "rights" while the many get sick? Which violation of rights is worse?

 

[maddythebeagle]

A great...not another "diseased illegal" thread...if it wasnt for the economy and Iraq, you people might actually get some play this time around...