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Anthrax is linked to the cause of several deaths, stillbirths,
miscarriages, physical defects and sickness of the babies
of soldiers who went to Iraq. Studies showed that in an army
of 105 men and women who served in the Gulf last year, not
one of the pregnancies has been trouble-free since the war.
Lance-Corporal Andy Saupe and his wife, Alex who lost their
baby, who was just five-weeks old, were among the victims.
Saupe was given an anthrax vaccination before he was called
for the Gulf War Two.
Since the war was declared, at least seven young couples
linked to 33 Field Hospital have experienced pregnancy complications
often resulting with tragic consequences. Unlike the first
Gulf War where women soldiers were warned not to conceive
within 12 months of various vaccinations, members of the 33
Field Hospital didn’t receive any warnings about anthrax
jabs.
A Gulf War group member said that the cocktail of vaccinations
given to the troops was completely unsafe and expressed the
need for a full public inquiry. However, instead of examining
the erroneous vaccinations that has caused deaths and deformities,
officials remain in a constant state of denial.
A spokeswoman claimed that congenital disabilities were an
unfortunate, common occurrence and the anthrax vaccine, which
has been used for several years, hasn’t had any reports
of serious side effects.
Anthrax, a deadly spore-forming bacteria multiplies if it
enters the body and can infect humans through inhalation or
breaks in the skin. After the spores release a toxin into
the bloodstream, the toxin starves tissues of oxygen and eventually
results in respiratory and heart failure.
The controversial vaccine administered to the soldiers involved
anthrax bacteria that initiated an immune response to the
disease. Findings from research showed that children of Gulf
War veterans have been more prone to birth deformities.
Sunday
Mirror February 29, 2004
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