LATEST: Several people affected by mysterious illness after rafting in the Grand Canyon
International Briefing:
Global attention remains focused on this evolving story as officials and analysts assess the broader implications.
For an as yet unexplained reason, several rafting enthusiasts who visited the Grand Canyon (United States) in recent months have fallen ill. Officials from the National Park Service announced that an investigation was underway, reports the American site Gizmodo. For the moment, the National Park Service did not wish to communicate on the extent of the cases and potential diagnoses, preferring to wait until the end of the investigation before expressing itself. It works in conjunction with other agencies to identify cases and interview them. Paddling Magazine, which reported the first cases, was nevertheless able to speak with one of the patients. The man contracted a serious knee infection three days after finishing his excursion in early June. He was treated with antibiotics, but he continues to suffer from other symptoms, such as chronic fatigue, fever, joint pain, body aches and even pneumonia. “I feel like I’ve had the flu for a month, which is kind of crazy, and I don’t know – and the doctors don’t know at the moment either – if the infection I had in my knee is related to that. No one seems to know,” he said. Several people posting on the “Grand Canyon Private Boaters” Facebook group reported similar problems. They all went rafting at the Grand Canyon between May and June. Four people out of a group of sixteen, for example, fell ill after a two-week rafting excursion in mid-June, says Fox News. Some have suffered serious complications, such as the presence of fluid in the lungs and loss of consciousness. For the moment, there are many hypotheses. It could be “valley fever,” a respiratory illness caused by a fungus that is growing in the United States with drought and rising temperatures. Other avenues such as dengue fever, chikungunya, hantavirus, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, leptospirosis or Legionnaire’s disease have been mentioned. But there could also be no connection between all these cases.
International Perspective:
This event is already generating discussion among political analysts and international organizations worldwide.
Observers believe further developments could significantly shape the direction of this story in the near future.
More details may emerge as official sources continue releasing new information.
Source: This article was originally published by 20Minutes – Actu Monde and adapted for our international English-speaking audience.
Read the original article here.