Researcher dies of plague

Lazar · Post by **Lazar** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:39 pm

CHICAGO - Public health officials are investigating the death of a University of Chicago researcher who studied plague bacteria and was found to have the microbe in his blood, university officials said on Monday.

Malcolm Casadaban, who died on September 13, was researching a weakened strain of the plague bacteria Yersinia pestis. Because it is missing key proteins, the strain is not normally harmful to people.

Medical center spokesman John Easton said Casadaban had the laboratory strain of Yersinia pestis in his blood, suggesting he had a form of the infection known as septicemic plague, which can kill even before the symptoms begin.

That would suck.

Post by **Tsukiyumi** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:50 pm

That does suck.

Tyyr · Post by **Tyyr** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:59 pm

Centuries later and the plague is still killing.

Nickswitz · Post by **Nickswitz** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:03 pm

Tyyr wrote:Centuries later and the plague is still killing.

Only those who refuse to just get rid of it... However, he was only studying it, so I feel bad for him. If it was the military I wouldn't...

stitch626 · Post by **stitch626** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:34 pm

Because it is missing key proteins, the strain is not normally harmful to people.

This made me chuckle, and then hit myself for chuckling.

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 12:49 am

Nickswitz wrote:
Only those who refuse to just get rid of it... However, he was only studying it, so I feel bad for him. If it was the military I wouldn't...

The military doesn't weaponize the plague, there are far more effective NBC weapons then that.

Post by **Mikey** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 1:14 am

I thought septicemic plague resulted from bubonic plague bacteria getting into the lymphatic system.

Tyyr · Post by **Tyyr** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 1:26 am

Most military research into bio-warfare is in preventive measures. Bio weapons are just too unpredictable and slow acting to be worth bothering with. Chemical and nukes are far more controllable and prompt.

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 1:38 am

Weird, now I have the urge to make the next world in DH a burned out cinder, poisoned by persistent chemical weapons.

Tyyr · Post by **Tyyr** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 2:00 am

Here I was going to suggest something like Naboo from SW Ep I. Nice, pretty, naive.

Preferably with a Natalie Portman look a like wandering around.

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 2:40 am

Needs more Grimdark, she can have stainless steel pasties.

Tyyr · Post by **Tyyr** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 2:52 am

Works for me.

Hey, idyllic worlds exist even in WH40K. Of course the Administratum and Ecclisiarchy go above and beyond to ensure that they stay perfectly in line so they can be shining examples of what happens when you obey the Emperor in all things.

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