CDC:some of the most infectious diseases,New Orleans, LA, (lev 4) Heads UP

[cthrumatrix]

A list of biological diseases and agents: anthrax, botulism, plague, smallpox, tularemia, and an assortment of hemorrhagic fevers, including Ebola and hantavirus.

There are only four level 4 labs in north America. However unknown to the general population, these deadly biological diseases are studied in other labs that are NOT at level 4 status, due to funding cuts.

http://www.gene-watch.org/bubiodefense/pages/globe2.html

However Tulane U. National Primate Research Center in New Orleans is a level 4 lab.

http://chronicle.com/free/v50/i42/42a02801.htm

http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/302/5643/206a

[cthrumatrix]

1. keep this kicked for when the toxic news hits the fan

[leveymg]

2. Good point. There are other public health crises coming.

Just conjecture, but those labs at Tulane are probably built in VERY substantial structures. The sort of flooding we've seen are unlikely to breach containment.

However, the real threat is from water-borne and parasitic diseases endemic to the Gulf Coast. West Nile Virus, hepatitis, amoebic dysentery and a host of other potentially fatal diseases.

There was a report of a cholera case among those evacuated to Houston. If that spread, we'd have a huge emergency.

[justabob]

4. Shelter in Biloxi shut down because of disease

I can't remember what disease, dysentary I think.

[mom cat]

3. Thanks..I am sending this to the group in Boston fighting a level 4 lab

here...planned for Roxbury, of course.

[ordinaryaveragegirl]

5. Don't forget about two others...

TB is very contagious, especially in crowded situations. People who have compromised immune systems are very vulnerable.

Hepatitis A isn't usually a huge concern, but the Superdome-type lack of sanitation (especially exposure to contaminated feces) can really raise the risk.