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ukshroomer
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Fungal infection contributes to Joplin tornado deaths
#14605961 - 06/13/11 12:23 PM (12 years, 7 months ago) |
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http://clintonherald.com/cnhins/x2088986390/Fungal-infection-contributes-to-Joplin-tornado-deaths
June 13, 2011 Fungal infection contributes to Joplin tornado deaths
Anonymous CNHI News Service The Clinton Herald Mon Jun 13, 2011, 10:18 AM CDT
JOPLIN, Mo. — A rare fungal infection caused by mold spores in airborne dirt, wood and other debris has contributed to the death of at least four victims of the May 22 tornado, health officials report.
They said the infection, known as mucormycosis, penetrates the body through puncture wounds and lacerated skin. It was detected a week after the tornado in several hospitalized victims.
The tornado's death toll has been revised to 151, the highest since 181 people died in a Woodward, Okla., twister in 1947.
The Missouri Department of Health urged anyone with an open wound that continues to redden and worsen to seek medical attention.
More than 1,100 people were hospitalized with tornado injuries. Many of them suffered puncture wounds from flying glass, wood and metal. The mold spores that create the fungus are commonly found in dirt and wood.
“We’ve definitely documented the tissue invasion of the fungus and the growth of the fungus,” said Dr. Uwe Schmidt, an infectious disease specialist with Joplin's Freeman Hospital.
“Some of these patients have died,” he added, but a link between the infection and their deaths has not been determined yet. He said their tornado wounds could have been the main reason.
Schmidt said the tornado's winds, which ranged beyond 200 mph, caused the fungus to become airborne and infect open wounds not adequately treated right afterwards.
Mucormycosis is treatable with intravenous antibiotics. Yet the volume of the tornado injuries and their treatment at makeshift medical centers may have resulted in the fungus going undetected for several days, said Schmidt.
The Atlanta-based Center for Disease Control said mucormycosis is a "very rare infection" in the United States, but that it moves aggressively into the blood system when it occurs.
The CDC said the death rate among people with weakened immune systems is 90 percent. It is also high for individuals with diabetes and cancer. But it is not passed from person to person.
Local public health and hospital officials said it does not appear the fungus poses risk to the tornado cleanup crews, contractors or others involved in removing rubble.
Freeman Hospital officials said they have treated at least five cases of the fungal infection and that they believe it contributed to the deaths of four people.
In addition, several cases were reported at Springfield, Mo., hospitals, where many tornado patients were taken.
“It can spread very fast, and it can spread every day,” Schmidt said.
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Darklight203
Same Shit



Registered: 08/14/10
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Re: Fungal infection contributes to Joplin tornado deaths [Re: ukshroomer]
#14606013 - 06/13/11 12:37 PM (12 years, 7 months ago) |
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Blood substrate. Scary stuff.
-------------------- In ancient times, when demons roamed with man, They hunted, loved and lost, hand in hand, As time went on, the difference between them faded. You couldn't tell anymore, demons and man were related, and some would say the same, but who would like to claim? In time, Gods had even forgot, Demons, too, once love had sought. In times recent I remember, Once I was a man, In my heart I had an ember, I'll relate the best I can but it was snuffed, one distant December. And yet here I stand, no flesh, no bones, no seed or semen, All that's left is this Demon.
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Drise
Regnarts

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Re: Fungal infection contributes to Joplin tornado deaths [Re: Darklight203]
#14607632 - 06/13/11 05:37 PM (12 years, 7 months ago) |
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Antibiotics don't help fungal infections...
-------------------- "It is only once we've lost everything, we are free to do anything." Everything I think, say, or do is fictional
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ckbhack
Stranger than you...



Registered: 11/02/08
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Re: Fungal infection contributes to Joplin tornado deaths [Re: Drise]
#14608187 - 06/13/11 07:16 PM (12 years, 7 months ago) |
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They may indirectly by fighting other infections leaving the immune system to take care of the fungus. But yes I agree
Edited by ckbhack (06/13/11 07:17 PM)
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ukshroomer
Law Abider


Registered: 11/08/09
Posts: 484
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Re: Fungal infection contributes to Joplin tornado deaths [Re: Drise]
#14608807 - 06/13/11 08:58 PM (12 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
Drise said: Antibiotics don't help fungal infections...
thats what i was thinking too...
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