“Officials: Leprosy story false” “Leprosy,
TB Rumors Untrue” February
10, 2008
Thursday February 7, 2008 Fort Smith/Fayetteville Ch. 5 KFSM,
reported Springdale’s “medical community” was warning the public that a leprosy
outbreak “could blossom into an epidemic”.
The story sent the chambers of commerce in Springdale, Rogers,
and Fayetteville into a frenzy, denying vehemently the existence of a leprosy
and tuberculosis outbreak in Springdale. Why?
February 8th the Arkansas Health Department,
Branch Chief of Infectious Diseases, Dr. James R. Phillips said “there has
never been an epidemic of leprosy” and “Ninety-five percent of the population
are genetically resistant to leprosy”.
Dr. Phillips said “We have had leprosy in Arkansas since
forever”.
I am a native Arkansan, 50 year practicing pharmacist
involved in academic settings, involved in durable medical equipment, teaching,
continuing education and never has leprosy been mentioned in any medical or
pharmacy issues. Regarding TB and polio,
both for the most part were wiped out in the 60’s and have been reintroduced by
foreign nationals.
Dr. Phillips stated “some people get the idea that leprosy
just came with the Marshallese. That’s not true”. He later stated it came from Hispanics. Who
comprises the hundreds of thousands of illegal invaders in our state?
Roughly 75% of leprosy cases in Arkansas and the U.S. during
the last decade have been among “foreign born individuals,” including Marshallese,
Hispanics and others who have entered our country.
In the matter of TB, more than 55% of cases are among
foreign born.
Dr. Phillips also said that leprosy is a substantial issue
in the Marshall Islands. Phillips stated
flippantly that both diseases are treated with antibiotics, but did not report
the outcomes.
KFSM’s story said they based their report on statements by
local physicians. Note the word plural
regarding physicians. Two stories appeared
2/9/8 in the Fort Smith Times Record & the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reporting
only the corporate/political point of view.
None from the medical community. If a serious investigation were intended, the
state and border states’ pharmacists would be consulted also.
Very serious questions arise from this gloss over. A brief definition of Fascism: Fascism is a
nexus between corporations and governments, producing a symbiotic relationship.
Note that Dr. James R. Phillips responded the day after the
story broke that it was a hoax and there was not an approaching epidemic of TB
and leprosy. A protection racket reaction? Chiming in at the same time were such renowned
authorities in Infectious Diseases as Perry Webb, Springdale’s Chamber
President, accompanied by Senator Bill Pritchard and his authoritative
statement, “everybody needs to take a deep breath and calm down.” “There has
been no outbreak. I don’t know who put
that information out there, but there is absolutely no evidence of an outbreak
or epidemic”.
This is indeed assuring since it comes from a career N.W.
Arkansas politician. Pritchard says who
put the information out there? He should
be aware of the big picture before he runs his mouth. Springdale physicians made the assertion, as
stated above.
Then comes Dr. Phillips, career bureaucrat, who the day
after the story broke said the false report “just makes people panic”. My question to Dr. Phillips; without
consulting with the Springdale medical community, how do you know the report is
false?
The crucial thing to remember is both the TB and leprosy bacillus
are airborne and spread through the inhalation of infected particles from an
infected individual who is coughing.
Think a line of Tyson’s poultry employees for example.
There are 6-8,000 Marshalleses living in Springdale, the
largest population outside the Islands.
Who do you suppose these folks work for?
Let me give a clue, one of the largest crime families in the U.S., the
Tyson’s and by all means, don’t forget the tens of thousands illegal Mexican
aliens who live in the crime infested cities of Fayetteville, Springdale,
Bentonville, and Rogers. Home to the
Walton’s, the Tyson’s, the Hunt’s, the George’s, ad infinitum. And Rogers’ resident Congressman John
Boozman.
Not one of these individuals, organizations, or politicians
has spoken to the involved medical community residing in NW Arkansas, yet in
less than 24 hours, politicians, bureaucrats, and corporations killed the story,
and are calling certain Springdale physicians liars. This is the most significant story regarding Arkansas
health care that has broken in our state re: the legal immigrant and the
illegal Mexican and OTM invasion, which dramatically demonstrates the introduction
and reintroduction of diseases which never existed here or were eradicated
decades ago.
You are now privy to a vivid, cruel example of Fascism.
It also must be noted that Gov. Mike Beebe, Cong. John
Boozman, and the CDC have been informed of this event.
Do you really believe we will hear anything other than
political cover-up from these corporate and political shills?
Kindest regards,
Joe McCutchen
Fort Smith, Ark
