Australian Fishermen breaking out in boils
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Pastor Dale Morgan
Oct 4, 2011, 11:53:17 AM10/4/11
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Plagues,
Pestilences and Diseases
Australian Fishermen breaking out in boils
* From: AAP
* October 04, 2011 4:33PM
QUEENSLAND fishermen have been taken to hospital with recurring weeping sores resembling spider bites after handling sick fish and working in water at Gladstone's harbour.
A fishing ban was imposed at Gladstone harbour on September 16 after sick fish were found with sores and cloudy eyes.
Up to 20 fishermen have issued statements to Queensland Health detailing painful boils that cover their legs and arms, medical doctor and Queensland Seafood Industry Association president Michael Gardner said today.
The cardio surgeon says he had examined and taken photos of several fishermen with the sores.
"I'm seeing a cluster of people working in the harbour who have been exposed to the water or have handled the fish, breaking out in multiple lesions on their limbs," Dr Gardner said.
"I'm a medical practitioner and I can say this is more than a coincidence and it's not an isolated event."
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Dr Gardner said at least four people had to be admitted to hospital.
"They are very painful sores," he said. "Some of (the fishermen) couldn't work for several weeks. Some of them developed septicemia and had to be hospitalised."
Gladstone Fish Market owner Ted Whittingham said he knows that one fisherman was taken to hospital for five days and had to be put on an intravenous drip and pumped with antibiotics.
"There have been numerous fishermen contracting this and it seems to be from handling fish and using the harbour water," Mr Whittingham said.
"A lot of the reef fishermen who use the water to wash their boats, and where they've got a cut or scratch, burst out in these lesions.
"They're like big spider bites and they come up within 24 hours."
Queensland Health says its officers had interviewed several fishermen but found no health cluster to be concerned about.
"(The fishermen) have described a range of conditions, including infected fish spike injuries and wounds and other skin problems," the department said.
"All the conditions described have multiple causes."
Dr Gardner is calling for the department to investigate it further.
"There is a relationship. The symptoms are the same, but just what it is I don't know," he said.
"The story is the same. The sores appeared after people handled fish or came into contact with the water."
Dr Gardner said it's unusual for a small fishing community to have at least 20 people infected with the same illness.
Read more: http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/fishermen-breaking-out-in-boils/story-e6frfku0-1226158255964#ixzz1ZpRudnAe
Australian Fishermen breaking out in boils
* From: AAP
* October 04, 2011 4:33PM
QUEENSLAND fishermen have been taken to hospital with recurring weeping sores resembling spider bites after handling sick fish and working in water at Gladstone's harbour.
A fishing ban was imposed at Gladstone harbour on September 16 after sick fish were found with sores and cloudy eyes.
Up to 20 fishermen have issued statements to Queensland Health detailing painful boils that cover their legs and arms, medical doctor and Queensland Seafood Industry Association president Michael Gardner said today.
The cardio surgeon says he had examined and taken photos of several fishermen with the sores.
"I'm seeing a cluster of people working in the harbour who have been exposed to the water or have handled the fish, breaking out in multiple lesions on their limbs," Dr Gardner said.
"I'm a medical practitioner and I can say this is more than a coincidence and it's not an isolated event."
Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
Dr Gardner said at least four people had to be admitted to hospital.
"They are very painful sores," he said. "Some of (the fishermen) couldn't work for several weeks. Some of them developed septicemia and had to be hospitalised."
Gladstone Fish Market owner Ted Whittingham said he knows that one fisherman was taken to hospital for five days and had to be put on an intravenous drip and pumped with antibiotics.
"There have been numerous fishermen contracting this and it seems to be from handling fish and using the harbour water," Mr Whittingham said.
"A lot of the reef fishermen who use the water to wash their boats, and where they've got a cut or scratch, burst out in these lesions.
"They're like big spider bites and they come up within 24 hours."
Queensland Health says its officers had interviewed several fishermen but found no health cluster to be concerned about.
"(The fishermen) have described a range of conditions, including infected fish spike injuries and wounds and other skin problems," the department said.
"All the conditions described have multiple causes."
Dr Gardner is calling for the department to investigate it further.
"There is a relationship. The symptoms are the same, but just what it is I don't know," he said.
"The story is the same. The sores appeared after people handled fish or came into contact with the water."
Dr Gardner said it's unusual for a small fishing community to have at least 20 people infected with the same illness.
Read more: http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/fishermen-breaking-out-in-boils/story-e6frfku0-1226158255964#ixzz1ZpRudnAe
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