Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Deadly Amoeba in Florida Lakes


The lives of three boys have been claimed in Florida due to a rare disease caused by an amoeba found in some lakes. In most cases, the amoeba is exposed to the brain through the nasal passages. Those suffering from this illness have flu-like symptoms, but then usually slip into a coma and have strange eye movements. Later on, they go downhill and usually end up dying from this illness. If it is caught early enough, it can be treated by antibiotics, but doctors are not used to looking for it because it is so rare. Health officials don't know what caused three cases in one summer, but some blame it on low water levels and warm temperatures. the warm water creates a spawning ground for the amoebas and makes it very dangerous to be in the water.

I think it is weird that 3 cases came in one summer, because only 24 cases have been documented in the United States since 1989. I feel bad for the families of the boys because they lost a very special part of their lives. I hope that there is a way to clean out the amoebas from the lakes discovered soon so that there are no more deaths. It is sad to hear about people having a fun weekend learning how to wakeboard, then catching a rare illness and dying two days later. I'm glad that the state is posting signs at several lakes warning people about the amoeba. I hope that the amoeba doesn't spread to Minnesota!

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Poor Little Dead Whale...


Officials say that a gray whale was shot with a machine gun and died off the tip of Washington state. Five men believed to be from the Makah tribe killed the whale on Saturday, September eighth. The tribal members are being held by the Coast Guard but have not been convicted yet. Native tribes are allowed to hunt whales for cultural purposes, but Mark Oswell said that this did not look like a cultural hunt at all. The tribe has been asking for exemption from the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act but has not received confirmation yet.

I think it is awful that these men killed a whale for what seems like no reason. I think marine life is a wondrous creation and it shouldn't be harmed unless there is a necessary reason. The poor whale had to go through the torture of having been harpooned and shot until late in the afternoon on Saturday. The tribe that killed the whale have been trying to get out of trouble by using excuses that don't seem to apply to this matter. It makes me upset how the men don't seem to care that they killed the whale. I hope this whole matter gets cleared up soon and that all animals will be safe.