Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Pork Workers Contract New Nerve Disease

Weakness, fatigue, numbness linked to pig-brain removal

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 17, 2008 2:48 PM CDT

(Newser) – Pork-plant workers in three states have contracted an unheard-of neurological disorder linked to removing pigs’ brains, Reuters reports. Some 24 people—most from Minnesota—are experiencing symptoms including inflamed spinal cords, weakness, fatigue, and numbness and tingling in the limbs. “As far as we... Read full story »

COMMENTS

Read the comment policy

You need to Log in to Newser to comment. Don't have an account yet? Sign up now!

There are no comments

A snapshot of the day's best news stories.

View Larger Grid

All Today Yesterday Pick a Date

What's Popular Now on Facebook

Cops Shoot Naked Guy Eating Man's Face on Highway

Japanese Artist Serves Up Own Cooked Genitals

Reuters (Source Grid »)

More on the investigation of the disease
Minneapolis Star Tribune

No threat to public: expert
Fort Mill Times

Test for disorder developed
Minnesota Post-Bulletin

Health

health • meat • neurological disorder • nerves • pork

More Newser Stories

Docs Warned to Watch for Brain Disease Link to Flu Vaccine

UK officials cite concern over 1976 vaccinations

(NEWSER) - British officials have alerted neurologists to watch out for any surge of cases of a deadly brain disease after a massive swine flu vaccination program begins, reports the Telegraph. A 1976 US swine flu vaccine was followed by an eight-fold increase in cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome, which killed 25 people at the time, while only one died of swine flu, warns a letter to the doctors. The vaccines will be given to some 13 million people in Britain. More»

Too Much Talking Can Lead to 'Cell Phone Elbow'

Stretched nerve threatens long chatters

(NEWSER) - Experts are warning of a yet another threat from your phone: cell phone elbow. When you hold the phone to your ear, you stretch the nerve that controls the ring and pinky fingers; bending your arm too tightly for too long "chokes the blood supply to the nerves," explains one doctor, which can cause tingling or numbness, making writing and typing difficult. The very scientific solution? Switch hands. More»

Eating Red Meat Daily Raises Death Risk: Study

Experts say cutting red meat consumption could save many lives

(NEWSER) - Daily consumption of red meat has been linked to higher mortality rates in the most comprehensive study on the subject ever made, the Washington Post reports. Researchers studied more than 500,000 middle-aged and elderly Americans and found that those who consumed 4 ounces of red meat a day were 30% likelier to die in the following decade, mainly from cancer and heart disease. More»

Pesticides Linked to Parkinson's

Risk is greater to home gardeners than via exposure at work

(NEWSER) - People exposed to pesticides ran a 1.6 times higher risk of developing the neurological disease Parkinson’s, reports a new study of 600 participants. "Recreational pesticide use in the home and garden was more of a source of exposure than occupational use,” says one researcher. Experts now say the link is highly likely, though in combination with other, largely genetic factors, reports the BBC. More»

UK Pig Farmers Squeal Poverty

As high feed costs drive losses, protests seek higher pork prices

(NEWSER) - Floundering British pig farmers are on the march behind a curious protest song: "Stand by Your Ham." With feed prices soaring, UK farmers say they're losing $50 on every pig they sell, so they’re begging anyone who’ll listen to support higher pork prices, reports the Wall Street Journal. They've taken to the streets alongside Winnie the Pig, their 500-pow sow mascot, and a massive pink plywood cutout tallying their losses. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Pork Workers Contract New Nerve Disease

Weakness, fatigue, numbness linked to pig-brain removal

health • meat • neurological disorder • nerves • pork

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Docs Warned to Watch for Brain Disease Link to Flu Vaccine

UK officials cite concern over 1976 vaccinations

Too Much Talking Can Lead to 'Cell Phone Elbow'

Stretched nerve threatens long chatters

Eating Red Meat Daily Raises Death Risk: Study

Experts say cutting red meat consumption could save many lives

Pesticides Linked to Parkinson's

Risk is greater to home gardeners than via exposure at work

UK Pig Farmers Squeal Poverty

As high feed costs drive losses, protests seek higher pork prices

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?