"Fever Named After Blackwater"

RightinNYC · 03-27-08, 05:14 PM

Not sure which it is yet.

Quote:

FALLUJAH, Mar 26 (IPS) - Iraqi doctors in al-Anbar province warn of a new disease they call "Blackwater" that threatens the lives of thousands. The disease is named after Blackwater Worldwide, the U.S. mercenary company operating in Iraq.

"This disease is a severe form of malarial infection caused by the parasite plasmodium falciparum, which is considered the worst type of malarial infection," Dr. Ali Hakki from Fallujah told IPS. "It is one of the complications of that infection, and not the ordinary picture of the disease. Because of its frequent and severe complications, such as Blackwater fever, and its resistance to treatment, P. falciparum can cause death within 24 hours."

What Iraqis now call Blackwater fever is really a well-known medical condition, and while it has nothing to do with Blackwater Worldwide, Iraqis in al-Anbar province have decided to make the connection between the disease and the lethal U.S.-based company which has been responsible for the death of countless Iraqis.

The disease is most prevalent in Africa and Asia. The patient suffers severe intravascular haemolysis -- the destruction of red blood cells leading to kidney and liver failure. It also leads to black or red urination, and hence perhaps the new name 'Blackwater'.

Crazy, right? One problem.

The disease has been called "Blackwater fever" for decades.

Rather than let that abundantly obvious fact get in their way, this news organization/reporter thought it would be better to just publish a laughable smear against Blackwater. I smell a Pulitzer...

donc · 03-27-08, 06:30 PM

Yes them pesky Iraq doctors should know that we don’t put up with media bias when they name their diseases.

<FALLUJAH, Mar 26 (IPS) - Iraqi doctors in al-Anbar province warn of a new disease they call “Blackwater” that threatens the lives of thousands. The disease is named after Blackwater Worldwide, the U.S. mercenary company operating in Iraq.>

And this dude that is sniffing around urinals had best get a life.

<While we waited for Judith’s translation, I glanced at the patient’s clear plastic urinal. It was almost full and the urine was brown, a deep mahogany brown. Suddenly, as if it had been kicked in just the right spot, my brain’s gearbox came unstuck.

Have you ever heard the term blackwater fever? I asked Barbara.

Um, no, she answered, then gave me an expectant look.

pointed to the urinal.>

03-27-08, 06:30 PM	#2
donc Professor Join Date: Sep 2007 Last Online: Today 01:33 AM Location: west Posts: 1,783 Thanks: 392 Thanked 290 Times in 234 Posts Lean: Centrist Gender: Total Awards: 1	Re: "Fever Named After Blackwater" - Either Bias or Stupidity? Yes them pesky Iraq doctors should know that we don’t put up with media bias when they name their diseases. <FALLUJAH, Mar 26 (IPS) - Iraqi doctors in al-Anbar province warn of a new disease they call “Blackwater” that threatens the lives of thousands. The disease is named after Blackwater Worldwide, the U.S. mercenary company operating in Iraq.> And this dude that is sniffing around urinals had best get a life. <While we waited for Judith’s translation, I glanced at the patient’s clear plastic urinal. It was almost full and the urine was brown, a deep mahogany brown. Suddenly, as if it had been kicked in just the right spot, my brain’s gearbox came unstuck. Have you ever heard the term blackwater fever? I asked Barbara. Um, no, she answered, then gave me an expectant look. pointed to the urinal.>

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