*Plagues, Pestilences and Diseases*
*Virus Infected Tree man 'may be denied treatment'*
November 20, 2007 06:14pm
Article from: Agence France-Presse
AN Indonesian villager dubbed "Tree Man" for massive bark-like warts
growing on much of his body may be barred from travelling to the United
States to receive treatment, a report said today.
Woody growths entirely cover 32-year-old Dede's hands in long, root-like
tendrils that leave him unable to work - except as a member of a
travelling freak show. He was in a Discovery Channel documentary this month.
Video Watch the video of the tree man
"We're clear about not giving them (US doctors) permission to bring Dede
to the US," health ministry spokeswoman Lily Sriwahyuni Sulistiyowati
was quoted as saying by Warta Kota daily.
"Moreover, people like Dede, who live in small villages, don't want to
be taken away, especially to give blood samples. Normally village people
don't easily give foreigners permission to test their blood," she said.
Anthony Gaspari, a dermatologist from the University of Maryland,
examined Dede as part of the documentary.
He believes the massive growths are a combination of the human papilloma
virus, which causes warts, and a genetic disorder that means his immune
system is too weak to fight them off.
Mr Gaspari said he was disappointed by the reported health ministry
decision but said it would not stop his initial plan to treat his condition.
Mr Gaspari said he was in negotiations with a US pharmaceutical company
to provide Dede with an ongoing supply of vitamin A, which would
hopefully boost his immune system and hinder the growth of the warts.
"My initial plan would be to send medication to Indonesia to a local
doctor to administer," he said. "If it doesn't work I won't have any
choice but to try to get him over here."
Possible alternative treatments, such as chemotherapy, carried higher
risks and needed to be closely monitored outside Indonesia, Mr Gaspari said.
Genetic testing would also require fresh blood samples, which meant they
would have to be taken in the United States, he added.
"I suppose at a university in Indonesia it's maybe possible to do the
testing, I just don't know whether the expertise would be available," he
said.
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