My Pet Goat Gets Even, of Dutch Goats and Egyptian Pigs………….
“Goat flu in Netherlands sickens over 2,000 humans, kills six. An outbreak of "Q fever" in the Netherlands has sickened more than 2,000 people and killed at least six. Dutch officials say they plan to "slaughter all pregnant infected goats" to help prevent the spread of disease. An outbreak of "goat flu," officially known as Q fever, has been blamed for sickening more than 2,000 people and killing at least six in the Netherlands this year. Radio Netherlands Worldwide (RNO) reports that experts have recommended the "wholesale slaughter of pregnant goats on farms where disease has been reported." Transmission through the birthing process of infected animals is said to be a primary risk of release of the disease's bacteria. RNO reports that symptoms of the disease primarily resemble the flu, including severe headaches, shivers, perspiration, aching muscles, diarrhea and a slow pulse rate. Symptoms usually subside after about two weeks with the acute variety of Q fever, but a more chronic strain can last up to two years, with the primary symptom being fatigue……….”
I hope the Dutch authorities are smarter than their Egyptian counterparts, almost anybody is. I hope they don’t start a campaign of futile mass slaughter against their goats. Revenge of the goats? I had pet goats as a kid. And I have always had a soft spot for goats, just as they have for dogs in the West. My family never ate goats, probably for that very reason but also because of the milk, and I never would. Anymore than Dorothy Gale would dine on Toto’s cousins.
You can list this under comparative culture, maybe…….
Cheers and Happy Holidays
mhg
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