Very Serious Medical Situation In Joplin

Friends of ATS and all members I call on you to help find resources, information and solutions to the latest tragic news coming from Joplin Missouri post- tornado.

It seems that there is a deadly bacteria on the rise affecting the community, one that has on the average about an 85% chance of survival depending upon where it affects the person.

The bacteria which has been confirmed in at least 22 people and growing throughout this already devestated community is called Zygomyosis.

Home > Diseases and Conditions > Mucormycosis
Mucormycosis
Zygomycosis

Last reviewed: September 15, 2010.

Mucormycosis is a fungal infection of the sinuses, brain, or lungs that occurs mostly in people with weakened immune systems.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Mucormycosis is caused by common fungi frequently found in the soil and in decaying vegetation. Most individuals are exposed to these fungi on a daily basis, but people with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to infection.

Conditions most commonly associated with mucormycosis include diabetes (usually poorly controlled diabetes), chronic steroid use, metabolic acidosis, organ transplantation, leukemia, lymphoma, treatment with deferoxamine, and AIDS.

Signs and tests

Mucormycosis should be suspected if symptoms appear in individuals with weakened immune systems, such as organ transplant recipients. Symptoms of rhinocerebral mucormycosis are most likely to occur among immunosuppressed people.

Depending on where the symptoms are, CT scans or MRIs may be done. Evaluation by an ear-nose-throat specialist is recommended if sinus involvement is suspected.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...

edit on 16-6-2011 by antar because: spacing of edit

edit on Thu Jun 16 2011 by DontTreadOnMe because: IMPORTANT: Using Content From Other Websites on ATS

My personal note to all of our friends and neighbors in Joplin and surrounding areas including the path of the storms and gusts which were reported at the time of tornadoes to be in excess of 200mph, is to pump your immune systems now! To begin taking extra precaution to avoid anything which is known to compromise the immune system. To get yourself and your loved ones on an Alkaline diet is one of the most important first steps towards protecting yourselves.

Here is one quick google search but there are many even a few threads here devoted to the subject.
www.energiseforlife.com...

My personal suggestions would also include staying on top of any health related issues you may just pass off at this time of as a "summer cold" or other "allergy" related seasonal symptoms.

I also know of one very intense anti fungal which is very expensive but could possibly be used prolifically to combat any possible growth of fungus in your system it is called Diflucan.

Also, as soon as you finish reading 'this' last suggestion I urge you to go do it immediately!

Begin snorting organic sea salt several times a day. Keep your nasal passages clean and clear!!!

Now, I have received information from one of our members who has been on the scene since day one and without giving away private correspondence he will hopefully come on board and keep us abreast of the latest news and his personal views and experiences.

In the meantime, if we put our collective best foot forward we just may be able to help the people of Joplin before its too late.

Thank you in advance.

reply to post by antar


Thank you for this information and also your concern. When my step-son was battling Leukemia he had many snowball effects and Mucormycosis was one of them. The CDC from Birmingham came to the hospital to make sure that was indeed what he had and it was. His skin broke out with lesions, headache, shortness of breath, and was very ill!!!! He lived through that particular snowball effect (1st patient they say lived through it) however it was my understanding at the time that he got it along with other infections from his own body. When the immune system is weak our white blood cells have a hard time fighting off everything they are up against and so some cells are left untouched, hence they turn into bad ones.......i.e. Mucormycosis.

You do know that there is a great difference between fungi and bacteria, right?
It will help your cause to correct this error.

reply to post by Aliensun


I know as much as the average lay person this is why I have brought this to the ATS community, they have in the past worked MIRACLES on many many levels and brought intense light to some of the darkest situations.

Thanks for your post.

reply to post by MamaJ


I am so sorry to hear that your child suffered so much but am grateful to hear it had a positive outcome. What would your suggestions be for those affected by these killing winds stirring up this disease that threatens to affect thousands of people?

Thank you in advance.

The bacteria which has been confirmed in at least 22 people and growing throughout this already devestated community is called Zygomyosis.

The number 22 is being reported by my CDC contact. Presently the Health Department is reporting 11 "suspected" cases to the public.

Below is what I posted on the fungi thread........

Things are not looking very bright in Joplin.

Two teams from CDC have arrived in Joplin and Springfield due to the fungal outbreak. I personally talked to a contact I have with the CDC and 22 cases are being reported of having the zygomoycosis fungi as of Monday.

One of my employees was told by her doctor Monday that she has pulmonary zygomoycosis. The survival rate is less than 20% for those affected in the respiratory system. She is very ill and we are attempting to get her help.

It is being reported that one resident died due to flesh eating bacteria………….but this could have been the fungi zygomoycosis…..

The biggest concern is the number of volunteers who have returned to their home towns.

Those who will develop pulmonary zygomoycosis should become symptomatic 2 to 3 weeks after exposure.

Cultures do not always grow when attempting to diagnosis this particular fungus. A CT scan is a must when involving the respiratory system…..…again the fatality rate is 87% for pulmonary zygomoycosis.

Access Care Medical Clinic in Joplin is reporting a high number of respiratory and pneumonia symptomatic patients as of last week.

It looks like our nightmare is only beginning………………

www.abovetopsecret.com...

I personally called the local Health Dept today concerning reports of increased respiratory issues in Joplin and how it may relate to the fungi. They claimed that they have not heard any reports concerning pulmonary fungal infections and basically read me the June 10th press release.

Health Advisory
June 10, 2011

SUBJECT: Deep Skin Wound Fungal Infection in People Injured By Tornado

Deep skin wound fungal infection can be caused by various fungi, including Rhizomucor spp. and other fungi. These fungi are commonly found in the environment, particularly in soil and decaying wood. The disease occurs more often in individuals with uncontrolled diabetes and immune disorders who have sustained wounds from traumatic injuries. However, these infections may also occur in healthy individuals with traumatic injuries. In patients with such injuries, the fungi may cause infection in the injured area. Infected wounds usually do not heal and are painful. Patients might experience fever. Severe illness may develop in infected patients. Cases of deep skin wound fungal infection have been previously reported after natural disasters. Deep skin wound fungal infection does not spread from human to human.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) has received reports of suspected deep skin fungal infection in individuals injured by the tornado in Joplin. The reported cases in Missouri all occurred in individuals who sustained trauma from the tornado with secondary wound infections. No cases were attributed to air, food, or water. MDHSS advises individuals who sustained trauma from the tornado and are experiencing symptoms including redness, tenderness, pain, and heat in the area of the wound, or fever should promptly visit their health care providers for evaluation and treatment as indicated.

Health care professionals should be alert to cases in which a patient who has a major clinical condition such as severe head injury, pneumothoraces, kidney injury, severe lacerations, bacterial sepsis, bacterial wound infections, and pneumonia with acute respiratory failure presents with a potential fungal infection. Patients with diabetes and patients with compromised immune system are also at increased risk of illness associated with such a fungal infection.

Assistance in diagnostic testing, such as identification of fungi from isolates or tissue specimens, is strongly encouraged by MDHSS and can be provided from CDC through the Missouri SPHL. MDHSS urges health care providers to promptly report cases of suspected deep skin wound fungal infection and other cases of unusual fungal infection among persons associated with the tornado to MDHSS or your local public health agency. MDHSS also urges health care providers to ship any suspected isolates or tissue specimens to the SPHL.
The point of contact at MDHSS is John Bos, MPH, senior epidemiologist at the MDHSS southwest district office (telephone: 417-895-6945; fax: 417-895-6959; email address: [email protected]).

reply to post by Cloudsinthesky


Oh I am so sorry, I did not realize that Loam already had this one...

Lets move this thread over there and continue, I still stand by my thoughts on the ATS community and their ability to bring answers to some of the most difficult situations... sometimes...

For any new readers here is a link to the thread already in progress...
www.abovetopsecret.com...

Mods will be closing this one.

Do you think that a hyperbaric chamber could help?
Here are some of the conditions the treatment is used for:

Air or gas embolism;
Carbon monoxide poisoning;
Carbon monoxide poisoning complicated by cyanide poisoning;
Clostridal myositis and myonecrosis (gas gangrene);
Crush injury, compartment syndrome, and other acute traumatic ischemias;
Decompression sickness;
Enhancement of healing in selected problem wounds;
Diabetically derived illness, such as diabetic foot, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy;]
Exceptional blood loss (anemia);
Intracranial abscess;
Necrotizing soft tissue infections (necrotizing fasciitis);
Autism. A small 2009 double-blind study of autistic children found that 40 hourly treatments of 24% oxygen at 1.3 atm provided significant improvement in the children's behavior immediately after treatment sessions.[50]The study's effect has not been independently confirmed. Research conducted by the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) found that hyperbaric oxygen therapy does not have a significant effect on symptoms of autism.
Cerebral Palsy;
Epidural abscesses;
Certain kind of hearing loss
multiple sclerosis
Radiation-induced hemorrhagic cystitis
Inflammatory bowel disease.
Osteomyelitis (refractory);
Delayed radiation injury (soft tissue and bony necrosis);
Skin grafts and flaps (compromised);
Thermal burns.


I know I would try it if I had that fungus.

Hyperbaric Chamber

I took a look at the RSOE EDIS site as they often provide information not easily found on MSM….

.hisz.rsoe.hu...

Unfortunately the information being posted is from June 11th and it mostly repeats what was stated in the press release from June 10th.

The one thing I did notice which is not being reported anywhere is the number dead due to the fungi is 9 and the number of infected persons being 1700.

If that number of infected persons being published is only 25# accurate we are looking at a minimum of 100 – 200+ more deaths to come.

The term “not to panic the public” was the reason given as for the lack of information being reported to the public.

Unfortunately we are in a waiting game……………

Originally posted by antar
reply to post by Cloudsinthesky

 

Oh I am so sorry, I did not realize that Loam already had this one...

Lets move this thread over there and continue, I still stand by my thoughts on the ATS community and their ability to bring answers to some of the most difficult situations... sometimes...

For any new readers here is a link to the thread already in progress...
www.abovetopsecret.com...

Mods will be closing this one.

Thread closed.