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Article: Disease strikes Pygmies.(Pulse)(Brief Article)
- Article from:
- Current Events, a Weekly Reader publication
- Article date:
- October 1, 2004
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2004 Weekly Reader Corp. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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BRAZZAVILLE, Congo Republic -- A dread flesh-eating disease is attacking Pygmies who live in a remote African forest. The disease, called bush yaws or pian, is curable, but United Nations relief workers have run into difficulties treating the Pygmies.
Bush yaws is caused by the bacterium Treponema pertenue. The bacterium enters the body through cuts and destroys skin and bone. The victim then becomes vulnerable to infections and may die.
As bad as the bacterium is, it can be easily cleansed from the surface of the skin with soap and clean water. One shot of penicillin will kill the bacterium after ...