Category Archives: International

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 15-17 January 2013. More Green on Blue attacks! Orphan girl gang raped! Villagers Honor Kill rapist, and his victim! U.S./European/Asian taxpayers directly funding Afghan government! Saffron replaces opium!

17 January 2013

In Herat Province, witnesses say U.S. personnel open fired on two women and two children, killing them.  U.S. officials claim the women and children were Mujahideen!

While on trial in the United States, a USMC Staff Sergent admitted to desecrating Afghan bodies (a violation of the UCMJ). He said the whole purpose was to take “trophy photographs”.  He pled guilty, but under a plea agreement he will likely be demoted in rank, only.

In Kandahar Province, a local cop shot and killed his boss. He did it after poisoning his fellow cops. He is on the loose.

In response to Afghan government officials releasing hundreds of prisoners (who’ve never been charged with anything by U.S./NATO forces) the United States has stopped handing over prisoners to Afghan counterparts.   It’s also in response to Afghan officials saying many of those prisoners showed signs of torture, and blamed U.S. personnel since they were in charge.

In Parwan Province, the roof of a building at the Bagram airbase collapsed, killing three people. International Security Assistant Force (ISAF) said they are investigating the cause.

In Balkh Province, a five story building used as a market place/bazar caught fire.  The main product sold there is wholesale clothing.  Witnesses say at least one person died after jumping from the building.  Two other similar markets, in Kabul city, caught fire at the end of December.

16 January 2013

In Uruzgan Province, two Afghan government security personnel were killed, two wounded, after their attempt to diffuse a bomb failed.

In Kabul Province, Kabul City, explosions and gunfire rocked the capital city.  A group of suicide attackers hit the National Directorate of Security compound.  Government officials and witnesses say at least 12 people killed and dozens wounded.

ISAF said: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an improvised explosive device attack in southern Afghanistan today.”

The British empire Red Coat Royal Army also reported that one of their troopers, who was blown up a few days earlier in Helmand Province, had finally died of his wounds.

In Daikundi Province, a 15 years old orphan girl was gang raped by six security guards.  Because of her age she was transferred from a children’s home to a shelter for women.  Officials suspect she was raped by the security guards at the shelter, all have been arrested (which resulted in the women’s shelter being closed). Local officials say the victim is in bad shape and probably needs to go to a hospital.  No info on why the security guards did it (if they did).

In Ghazni Province, local government officials say a vigilante group killed a man they say raped one of their own.  They also ‘honor killed’ the victim!  “A man was trying to rape a woman while her husband was away from home but the relatives of the woman kill her along with the man after they were informed of the incident.”-Deh-Yak Mohammad, District Attorney

Yet again the Afghan parliament has rejected the budget for Solar Hijri year 1392.  At issue is the use of most of the funds for military/police, and very little for anything else.  Also, there is a suspicious fund called the Caution Code, which would be allocated $580 million USD, yet gives no explanation for what the money will be spent on.  Taxpayers in other countries (like the United States) should take note; the majority of the funding for the Afghan budget is coming from you!

Your money flowing into Afghanistan is one reason why your country is struggling economically, and why Afghanistan is actually growing!  According to the World Bank, Afghanistan’s economy is blasting off despite other countries going down: “Economic growth in South Asia weakened considerably in 2012 to an estimated 5.4 percent, from 7.4 percent the previous year [still much, much better than the U.S.]. Delayed monsoon rains, electricity shortages, macroeconomic imbalances including large
fiscal deficits and high inflation, and policy and security uncertainties contributed to subdued economic activity in the region, which also faced negative impacts from the Euro Area debt crisis and a weak global economy. In contrast, Afghanistan’s economy grew robustly by about ….”

15 January 2013

In Farah Province, Afghan National Police (ANP), along with local cops,  ambushed an Italian NATO troop convoy, during the night.  Local government officials say the Italians were not hit.  However, Mujahideen say three Italians were killed, and ISAF has refused to comment.

In Kunar Province, Mujahideen say they’ve shot down, or blew up, a U.S./NATO helicopter on or over a U.S. base.  No other info was reported.

In Kandahar Province, four people were killed when they drove over a landmine.

In Helmand Province, local government officials say a program to replace opium crops with saffron is working (it’s another reason why the World Bank says Afghanistan’s economy is booming, see above). Anyone who uses saffron in their cooking knows how expensive it is, which is why it makes a good replacement for opium poppies. Helmand officials plan to expand the program this year.

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 11-14 January 2013. What global warming? People trapped by heavy snowfall! Billions more U.S. tax dollars promised to Afghanistan! U.S. led airstrikes against schools!

14 January 2013

Afghan National Army (ANA) conducted military operations in Helmand, Baghlan, Nangarhar and Maidan Wardak provinces. The ANA says four Mujahideen were killed, and eight wounded. Three ANA troops were killed, two wounded.

President Hamid Karzai stated that Afghanistan will be “…more secure and a better place…” without U.S. led occupying troops. Karzai also said that the issue of legal immunity for U.S. troops will be decided, and probably ended, by the end of 2013.  This comes a couple of days after U.S. officials said they want legal immunity for U.S. personnel to continue.

Afghan Finance Minister, Hazrat Omer Zakhilwal, said the United States has promised between $800,000 and $1 million USD in taxpayer money, to the Afghan government for every year after the 2014 pullout.  The United States government has already given the government of Afghanistan $22.34 billion in U.S. taxes ever since the Bush Jr ordered invasion in 2001!

13 January 2013

In Maidan Wardak Province, local government officials say a U.S. led NATO airstrike hit a Mosque/school.  Witnesses say the airstrikes continued for several hours.  As many as 15 people were killed: “All those people killed here were school students, teachers and also university students. They were all civilians. There were no armed men here!”-witness

Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan stated they will stop their attacks on Pakistani targets and focus only on U.S. led NATO targets in Afghanistan.

12 January 2013

In Badghis Province, local government officials report that Mujahideen launched a major attack, killing four cops and wounding two.  The battle lasted two hours, one Mujahideen was killed and one cop is missing. In a separate incident, another Mujahideen attack left three cops wounded.

In Baghlan Province, heavy snow has closed highways and left hundreds of people (including 80 children) trapped.

In Bamiyan Province, heavy snow caused an avalanche that buried a car with four people inside.   They were rescued, but one person is in critical condition.

11 January 2013

In Badghis Province, and explosion killed a Spanish NATO soldier. The Spanish Sergent was trying to diffuse a bomb when it, or possibly another bomb, went off.

 

International, U.S.

Norovirus Update, 20 January 2013: Hybrid Pandemic! Blame those so called environmentaly friendly reusable shopping bags! Hand sanitizers do not work!

“This virus is just unbelievably contagious.”-Paul Cieslak, Oregon Public Health Division

Health officials in Oregon are reporting a spike in norovirus cases in the past two weeks.  Also, an outbreak that hit a girl’s soccer team has been linked to those so called environmentally friendly reusable shopping bags. It happened in 2010.  Last year researchers were finally able to make the link.  The first victim of the virus actually made an attempt to stay away from the other players, but seven others still got sick.  The common link was a reusable shopping bag containing food that all eight shared.  The bag-o-food was left in the bathroom, for some unintelligent reason.  The researchers speculate that the first girl vomited in the bathroom where the reusable food bag was.  With the norovirus just being in the same area of someone throwing up can get you sick, or contaminate your food.

The Sydney 2012 hybird of the Genotype II.4 strain of norovirus is spreading fast in France, New Zealand, Japan, and the United States.  Ian Goodfellow at the University of Cambridge says Sydney 2012 is “the Ferrari of the virus world” and “one of the most infectious viruses of man.”

Genotype II.4 is known as a type of norovirus that causes epidemics and pandemics. Sydney 2012 is something new, it’s a hybrid between Japanese and  Dutch Genotype II.4 strains.  Aussie and Kiwi Researchers say the two 2007 strains combined to make the Sydney 2012 strain (it was first noticed in Australia in 2012).  There have been several norovirus pandemics: 1996-97, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2009.

Cases of norovirus, influenza and whooping cough are all on the rise, and some are thinking there’s a connection.  Health officials in the U.S. state (Utah) now considered the launch point for Sydney 2012, say there’s no connection: “As far as we know, they’re completely coincidental and separate.”-Andy Pavia, University of Utah

In California yet another school was hit with the stomach bug.  A week ago there were ten outbreaks reported in Contra Costa County, one of them at the Lafayette elementary school. More than 100 students were sick. But this seems common for schools in Contra Costa County, in the first two months of 2012 at least 30 schools were hit.  If you didn’t hear about it last year it’s because schools are not required to make public such outbreaks!

I recently saw a report out of the U.S. midwest where hospital staff told the reporter they’re being ordered to use lots of “purell” (an alcohol based hand sanitizer). However, Contra Costa Public Health officials in California are saying alcohol based hand cleaners have no effect on norovirus!  (click here to see  study)

Also in California, Marin County Public Health officials gave a nursing home a clean bill of health after an outbreak sickened 78 people.  Six people were hospitalized, and two died.  The nursing home will no longer use a self serve buffet style eating facility, staff must now serve each person their meals while wearing gloves and hats.

In Hawaii, a week and a half ago health officials reported a sudden outbreak of norovirus at several hospitals. They were surprised by how fast it spread. So far no common link has been found, and officials hope it’s over.

In Merry Olde England, health officials are telling sick people to stay away from the hospital!  The United Kingdom‘s Health Protection Agency (HPA) is telling people to phone their doctor or clinic first if they think they’re sick.  Telling people to stay away from the hospital might have helped reduce hospital outbreaks, but, the HPA is also reporting that overall cases of vomiting bug are 56% higher when compared to the same time last year.

Also, norovirus is still alive and well in British hospitals. The Solihull Hospital was recently closed to visitors, and two wards were locked down: “Wards 15 and 19 at Solihull Hospital are currently on lock down due to norovirus.  As there are also many cases of norovirus outside the hospital in the community; Solihull Hospital has closed all wards to visitors except for the outpatients department and intensive care as a precautionary measure to protect patients. Any patients attending an outpatient appointment should not attend if they have experienced vomiting and diarrhoea symptoms two days prior to their appointment.”-hospital statement

A cruise ship company has settled a lawsuit from a woman in Scotland. She got sick with norovirus on a cruise four years ago, and is still suffering symptoms!

Health officials in France report that the number of people sick with norovirus has passed the epidemic level.

In Delaware, the Division of Public Health reports the first cases, and that there have been several outbreaks.

Here’s more proof that cleanliness does not protect you from viruses, and hospitals are the worst place to be: “They can survive freezing and heating and cleaning with many chemical disinfectants. In 2010, scientists surveyed a hospital for noroviruses and found 21 different types sitting on a single countertop. It takes fewer than 20 noroviruses slipping into a person’s mouth to start a new infection.”–Carl Zimmer, science writer National Geographic

Norovirus is also known as Norwalk virus, calicivirus, viral gastroenteritis and many other names and strains: “Symptoms of norovirus infection include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach cramping. Noroviruses are a group of related viruses that affect the stomach and intestines and are the most common cause of stomach and intestinal inflammation, also known as gastroenteritis, in the U.S.”-David Young, South Carolina Department of Health and Environment Control

Most people are sick with symptoms for 24 to 48 hours.  However, even if you feel better you can still pass it along for almost a week afterwards.  If you’re sick with symptoms for more than 48 hours get medical help.

That said, there is no treatment for norovirus (basically the hospital tries to keep you hydrated), no vaccine, and your body does not develop immunity so you can get sick again and again and again….

Check my previous postings about norovirus.  You’ll notice most outbreaks involve hospitals.  You’ll also read about a recent study that says cleanliness might not have any affect on viruses (it’s actually one of the first studies ever to investigate such claims).

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 07-10 January 2013. Hundreds of cops poisoned! First Green on Blue attack of the year!

10 January 2013

ISAF said: “A U.S. Forces-Afghanistan service member died today following an insurgent attack in eastern Afghanistan.”

Independent truck drivers went on strike, protesting a new Pakistan law requiring them to give up their independence and become part of authorized companies contracted to deliver supplies to U.S./NATO/ISAF forces in Afghanistan.

09 January 2013

Four Polish NATO troops are on re-trial for the deaths of eight civilians, including women and children.  Five years ago a Polish NATO patrol open fired on a wedding party.  Seven Polish troops were originally let go for lack of evidence, but prosecutors are now re-trying four of them based on new evidence.

08 January 2013

In Balkh Province, at least 250 policemen were poisoned. The incident happened in a military compound, the cops became sick after eating their breakfast.  The cause of the poisoning is under investigation.

Reports saying Kandahar airbase came under rocket attack.  One report says ten rockets were launched, another report says two rockets were launched.  Apparently a Pakistan International Airlines aircraft was nearly hit while on the runway.

07 January 2013

ISAF said: “An individual wearing an Afghan National Army uniform turned his weapon against International Security Assistance Force service members in southern Afghanistan.”

Other reports say it was an Afghan National Armyman who fired on Red Coat troops from United Kingdom.  One was killed, three wounded.  It happened in Helmand Province.

In Farah Province, six cops disappeared from their check post in Pusht-e-Rud district. Mujahideen say the six cops have joined them.  Also, another cop was killed in an ambush.

Afghan government officials have asked the United States to turn over all spy balloon operations to them, after the U.S. pullout in 2014.  Afghan military officials say the big advantage of the spy balloons is the night vision equipment.

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 03-06 January 2013. More bad behaviour by U.S. led forces documented! 133 children sacrificed everyday for the United States! Soldiers killing themselves while on leave!

06 January 2013

A new Afghan Defense Ministry report backs up claims that U.S. forces are instigating Green on Blue attacks by mistreating their Afghan counterparts.  The latest report says U.S. personnel, with the help of some of their Afghan interpreters, are harassing and humiliating villagers in Maidan Wardak Province.  Also, the report says U.S. forces are not coordinating military operations with Afghan National Army (ANA) troops, as promised in recent agreements.   Afghan defense officials tried to detain the interpreters but: “When we asked NATO forces to hand over the interpreters, they told us that they are not here and have fled the area.”

International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) commented on claims that U.S. led troops are abusing detainees, saying any abuse was at the hands of the Afghan interpreters and U.S. led troops were not involved or aware of the incidents.

According to data from the World Bank, and the United Nations,  at least 133 Afghan children die everyday (43,545 per year).  The main cause is dirty water.  This should be a concern for U.S. and European taxpayers, as millions of USD has been spent on water projects most of which never happened.  Recent investigations by U.S. government agencies revealed that many of the contractors who got the tax money to improve the water systems never showed up.  Is this intentional?  So much for U.S. claims to stabilize and improve life for Afghanistan.

In Kandahar Province, a suicide bomber blew himself up near a government compound.  Then Mujahideen infantry attacked the compound.  Local police say 10 people were killed, 15 people were wounded.

The Afghan government has freed hundreds of prisoners who were being held by U.S. forces at Bagram Prison, and at other prisons. General Mohammad Yar Barakzai said that despite “…no evidence to prove their involvement in the insurgency.”, U.S. forces held them in prison for at least a couple of years, Israeli style.

05 January 2013

Mujahideen warned of increased attacks if the U.S. does not withdraw all personnel at the end of 2014: “If America wants to leave a small or large number of its troops for whatever length of time then it means war and destruction will continue in the region for that same length.”

U.S. media reports have revealed that as many as 20,000 U.S. personnel could remain after 2014.

An official from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), Saeed Jalili, arrived in capital Kabul.  He said he was there on official invitation from President Hamid Karzai.  Iran is funding dozens of reconstruction projects in Afghanistan.

04 January 2013

Pakistan claims 25 mortar rounds were fired into their country from Afghanistan. They say it was Afghan government border forces that fired the short range artillery rounds.

Afghan public health ministry officials say at least one woman dies giving birth every two hours in Afghanistan.  However, they say this is an improvement.  They claim that 11 years ago it was one woman dying during childbirth ever 24 minutes!

A British Red Coat, who survived an explosion in Afghanistan, killed himself while on Christmas leave back home in the United Kingdom.  Officials said only that “Police are investigating the death of a soldier who was serving with 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards.”

03 January 2013

In Helmand Province, a religious cleric was assassinated while leading prayer in a Mosque.  Reports say he was targeted because he supported the government.  Also, an ISAF soldier from Denmark was killed by an explosion while on patrol: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an improvised explosive device attack…”

In Ghazni Province, reports of a girl being gang raped and the local government trying to cover it up.  The girl is in critical condition and was sent to Kabul for treatment. A vigilante group claims to have detained one of the four men accused of the rape.  Local police say they did not cover up the rape, that simply it was never officially reported to them by the family.

In Kunar Province, Mujahideen report attacking several checkpoints, killing and wounding a handful of ANA troops.  Mujahideen also report destroying a Counter Terrorism Pursuit Team (CTPT) in Narang district, after a four hour battle.

In Laghman Province, Mujahideen report day long ambushes on Afghan government convoys. They claim they killed at least 17 Afghan government personnel, and wounded 13.  Three Mujahideen were killed, as well as one civilian.

International, U.S.

World War 3: UN demands war in Mali! France goes on warpath! Rebels promise long war against western invaders! Obama promises are proof of christian war against Islam, in the name of oil!

“France has opened the gates of hell for all the French. She has fallen into a trap which is much more dangerous than Iraq, Afghanistan or Somalia!”-Oumar Ould Hamaha, Mali rebel

14 January 2013, a little earlier than first thought, but it looks like the United Nations has given the go ahead for western invasion of Mali, and France is launching airstrikes.

Mali is a former colony of France, and recently several British empire oil companies have been exploring for black gold in the west African country.  The United States has recently increased troop strength there.

France began airstrikes on 11 January 2013, after the christian dominated UN Security Council issued a statement saying they were afraid the Islamic rebels were winning their revolution.  Today, 14 January 2013, French reports say that despite their weekend long airstrikes the rebels are winning.  Rebels quickly reconstituted after the airstrikes and actually captured another town.  French military leaders are basically calling for a ground invasion by U.S. led NATO.

There are already 2,500 French troops, and 3,300 West African troops (at the behest of the UN), in country trying to save the pro-western Mali government.   Canada has already sent military transport aircraft to help the French.

U.S. President Barack Obama has promised France all the help it needs: “What we have promised them is that we would work with them, to cooperate with them, to provide whatever assistance we can to try to help them in that effort.”-Leon Panetta, U.S. Secretary of Defense

The European Union (EU), and the United Nations (UN) are holding emergency meetings.

 

 

International

World War 3: Israeli defense ministry bombed, officials avoid using the phrase “terrorist act”. Tit for tat between Iran and Israel?

10 January 2013, the Israeli Defense Ministry building was ground zero for a car bomb explosion.  At least ten people wounded.

However, Israeli officials are avoiding calling it an act of terrorism, instead saying: “The main direction of suspicion is it was criminal.”-Micky Rosenfeld, Tel Aviv police

Witnesses say they saw someone on a motorcycle place a bomb on a Mazda parked near the building.  Is this a tit for tat between Israel and Iran?  After all, that’s how Israeli/U.S. agents in Iran have been killing Iranian nuclear scientists.

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 29 December 2012 – 02 January 2013. Increased drone strikes proof the U.S. is losing the war? ANA attack Spanish troops! Cops kill wives! Pakistan attacks, again! Thousands of Afghan government troops used as human sacrifices for the United States! More proof it’s about the oil! More U.S. taxes wasted!

02 January 2013

A report says U.S. President Barack Obama authorized 450 drone (UAV) strikes in Afghanistan in 2012, double from the year before.  Afghans take it as proof the United States is losing the war: “Unfortunately, they think they can win this war by killing civilians. Actually, these attacks are revenges from the loss that the U.S. government has faced in Afghanistan.”-Mohammad Daoud Abedi, Afghan Nation Peace Council

In Herat Province, an Iranian man was found dead. Local police have given no details, other than he was a truck driver.  There has been an increase in the number of people being kidnapped in the province.

01 January 2013

In Herat Province, Karkh district, two Afghan National Army (ANA) officers attacked a Spanish/NATO military convoy. No one was hurt, and the ANA officers are missing.

In Kunduz Province, reports that two people were killed by U.S. led drone strike.

In Uruzgan Province, a local cop shot and killed his wife and teenaged son.  He is on the loose.  Local police officials say it was all over some kind of family argument.

Government officials in Sarkano district, Kunar Province, claim Pakistan fired 12 artillery rockets into their territory. One woman was killed, three children wounded.

According to icasualties.org, 309 U.S. personnel, 44 U.K. forces and 45 soldiers from other NATO/ISAF member countries were killed in 2012.  This is piddly when compared to how many puppet Afghan National Army troops died fighting for the United States: “We lost around one thousand and fifty of our hero soldiers in 2012….”-Zahir Azimi, Afghanistan Ministry of Defense

According to reports, more and more Afghan government officials are seeking asylum in the United States and United Kingdom/British Empire.  This year hundreds of Afghan  presidential palace employees, diplomats, reporters and journalists, athletes and students who’ve left Afghanistan have never returned.  Australia has been dealing with boat loads of refugees from Afghanistan.  The UN High Commission for Refugees said, this year, that Afghans make up the most people seeking asylum.  So much for the United States stabilizing Afghanistan in their War on Terror.

31 December 2012

2012 was a record year for Green on Blue attacks (Afghan government personnel attacking U.S. led NATO/ISAF personnel or contractors).  At least 46 U.S. led occupiers were killed in such attacks.  That’s 11 more than 2011.

In Samangan Province, a man serving time for killing three of his inlaws, killed his wife while she was visiting him in prison.  Prison officials believe the man was being motivated to commit the murders by his own mother. His mother had been telling him that his wife was having an affair.

In Daikundi Province, local government officials reporting a 50% increase in suicides among women.  The main reason is domestic violence.

Pakistan has released four more top Mujahideen leaders from prison. This comes at the request of the Afghan government. It’s part of demands by Mujahideen in order to continue with peace talks.

U.S. corporation, FMC Technologies, was just awarded the contract to build a oil/fuel refinery in the Amu Darya River basin, in the province of Jowzjan.  It is one of six oil fields in Afghanistan, discovered in 1930 by Swedish explorers.  The refinery is expected to put out 60,000 barrels of fuel everyday starting in Gregorian year 2015.  China is already a major player in Afghanistan’s budding oil industry.

30 December 2012

Near the Jalalabad airbase, in Nangarhar Province, a hidden bomb exploded.  The bomb was inside a fueler truck, in a convoy heading to the airbase. At least nine feulers were destroyed as they sat parked.  Jalalabad airbase is the second largest U.S. airbase in Afghanistan.

29 December 2012

ISAF said: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an improvised explosive device attack in southern Afghanistan.”

A Georgian/ISAF soldier who disappeared last week, was found dead.  No further info was issued.

The U.S. government has canceled the planed purchase of Italian made C-27 Spartan transport planes, for the Afghan air force.  Afghan government officials are happy: “Today we are very happy to hear the cancellation of the aircrafts purchase through the Italian corporation. The aircrafts are not usable by the Afghan Air Force anymore and we thank those who have taken this decision.”-Zahir Azimi, Afghanistan Ministry of Defense

U.S. taxpayers take note: Your government had already spent $600 million USD of your taxes on the C-27 for Afghanistan program!  Apparently the Afghan air force wants to continue to rely on their reliable Russian rotary wings and U.S. Cessna fixed wings.

Eight people, including four children, died due to being stuck in cold weather, after Pakistan closed the Torkham border gate.  Border police say thousands of people are stuck. Pakistan recently closed the border crossing in retaliation for Afghan border police harassing Pakistani citizens.

Iranian and Afghan education officials announced they will build a jointly run science/technology university in the near future.

International, U.S.

Norovirus Update, 09 January 2013: Main stream media now reporting new strain, after I already did! Utah ground zero in United States! More deaths! Canada gets double whammy!

“It’s very fast moving and very contagious.”-Jennifer Robertson, Salt Lake Valley Health Department, Utah

09 January 2013, U.S. main stream media reporting that the cause of increased norovirus cases is a new version.  In December 2012 I reported that Japanese health officials reported a new strain that was sicken thousands of Japanese.  In March 2012 I warned that increased globalization of food markets could spread new diseases within the U.S. (mainly because the Federal government cut funding for Food & Drug Administration inspections of imported food).

The latest reports say the new version of norovirus was born in Australia, and it’s launch point in the U.S. is the Beehive State of Utah.  It’s called Genotype II.4 or Sydney 2012.

In Utah, at least 250 Mormon missionaries got sick at the missionary training camp. State health officials are investigating clusters of outbreaks.

In Oregon, reports that people visiting the zoo are getting sick. Beaver State health officials think that as many as 135 people got sick at the Oregon Zoo in Portland, back in December 2012. An independent media investigation revealed that the zoo’s restaurants avoided health inspections since 2006, through a loophole favoring state run businesses. To make matters worse, on 03 January 2013, health officials reported another outbreak in Portland. One hospital had 75 ER cases since December, and then four of their own doctors and a dozen nurses got sick.

And just because something is new, doesn’t mean it’s clean.  In Wyoming, Cowboy State health officials have linked a norovirus outbreak to a newly opened Golden Corral Buffet & Grill.  306 people were confirmed to be sick with the vomiting bug, in December 2012: “The real strong message is that there’s a definite, classic curve that shows that there was a point-source outbreak December 7th through 10th at Golden Corral restaurant.”-Robert Harrington, Casper-Natrona County Public Health Department

In California, two people died in Mill Valley, Marin County, after an outbreak last week.  On 08 January 2013, a private college prep school re-opened in Los Olivos, Santa Barbara County, after it closed twice, because of outbreaks.  The first outbreak took place on 26 November 2012, after a teacher in-service day.  The second outbreak occurred among students in December.

In Nevada, health officials admit that norovirus cases are so common there, that they don’t keep stats!  In Las Vegas, casino owners swear they keep track in order to prevent spreading it to other casinos.  One state health official says it ain’t no thing: “We don’t keep statistics on it because it is so common.”-Jennifer Sizemore,  Southern Nevada Health District

Health officials in the United Kingdom don’t think it ain’t no thing.  They predict a million more Brits will get sick, compared to last year.  They’ve also issued a warning regarding blood donors!  The result is a shortage of the O-, or universal blood type.  On 07 January 2013, there were reports that hospital ERs were so full that people were being treated in ambulances.

In Taiwan (Republic of China), the Taipei City Government Department of Health reported 2,100 emergency room cases last week.  That’s double from the same time last year!  Health officials say it’s almost a guarantee that if one family member gets sick, the whole family will be sick soon.

In Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, hospitals are getting hit with a double whammy of norovirus and influenza.  Alberta Health Services reports hospitals are more than 100% occupancy.  Elective surgeries are being canceled due to concerns over infections.  Albertans are being asked to be more selective in seeking help: “We are looking to Albertans to educate themselves on the options available for their care to ensure they get the care they need quickly, and also to help reduce the pressures on our ERs during this season.”-William Dickout, Edmonton medical director

Back in the U.S. of A.  The Maine Center for Disease Control (MCDC) says it’s concerned about the flu/norovirus double whammy, as norovirus has spread from York County: “Norovirus is totally different from influenza. They are both happening in Maine right now, and you have to know a little bit about each one to protect yourself.”-Stephen Sears, MCDC

There is no treatment for norovirus, no vaccine, and your body does not develop immunity so you can get sick again and again and again….

Check my previous postings about norovirus.  You’ll notice most outbreaks involve hospitals.  You’ll also read about a recent study that says cleanliness might not have any affect on viruses (it’s actually the first study ever to investigate such claims).

 

 

International

Pacific Ring of Fire: Japan hit with record number of quakes in 2012 (not counting 2011), already big start to 2013!

For the end of Gregorian year 2012 Japan reported 3,134 “noticeable” earthquakes.  That’s about 1,000 more than the yearly average (from 2001 to 2010).

The Japan Meteorological Agency says 60% of the quakes are considered aftershocks of the 11 March 2011 disasters.  Of course, 2011 was the year Japan experienced the most noticeable quakes, with 10,000 being reported!

It looks like 2013 is starting out big.  From 01 January to 03 January 2013, Japan has already had 12 earthquakes, of magnitude 4+.  For the same three day period in 2012 there were five quakes.

Japan has its own earthquake rating system, different from the U.S. Geological Survey.