[ Contents | Search | Post | Reply | Next | Previous | Up ]
From: Ron Norris,Advisory Tm68 Vinh Long Prov Vung Liem Dist
68-69
Date: 3/2/2003
Time: 4:20:27 PM
Remote Name: 165.247.173.17
Just brousing thru & saw posts on AO. FYI a tropical bacterial disease called Melioidosis, which is endemic to VN, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, has also been tied to Type II Diabetes & to Porphyria Cutanea Tarda(one of the 2 skin lesions IDed with AO). Melioidosis can be contacted in many ways - for us vets the common way was inhaling dust or water mist stirred up by fixed wing or chopper turbulance. Melioidosis can remain latent in the lungs for may years and may be activated by any disease/condition you may get including immune system deficiency and may be fatal in certain conditions(usually emergency misdiagnosis & treatment with incorrect drugs).Human to human infection is not known at this time. I was diagnosed by VA in 1982. So far, CDC is the only facility in the USA with proper testing laboratory. It is also listed by CDC as a potential Biowarfare agent. VA is required to test you and it is compensatable(usually starting at 10%). VA may tell you that a low serum titer anibody count means you do not have it(That ain't so!) Key "Melioidosis" on www.google.com for a lot of info.