Neuropathy [PIN for short]....
It isn't on the regular lists of acronyms for neuropathies nor for immune diseases...
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/96117.php
This is one case where I do think that health officials were on top of things...tho after the fact. But then most of us do not LIVE or WORK in environments that make diagnosis in terms of cause and effect so epidemologically connected.
I found the overall statistics of this particular article interesting in that they actually determined that the majority of the folks affected did work mostly in that particular part of the plant.
Apparently some in Asian countries like the 'brains' as foodstuffs. I suppose these things are either an acquired or cultural taste.
As with the whole 'gluten' issue with pet foods tho...as Cycleops brought up, who knows where our foods and the ingredients for much of it comes from these days? That you can get asparagus, fresh citrus and green peppers out of season in the northern hemisphere and yet, most produce isn't labeled with area of origin. Who knows these days how/where our meat is prepared as well? As said, the 'mass' 'production' of such foods is a wide open door to possible [and, in the past] actual disasters. The inspections, resources and quality controls what were imposed by the FDA in the '70's are stricter than currently used. Governmental priorities? Do you cut the FDA or Medicare prudently? Hard choices when bucks go many other elsewheres.
Commercial 'advocacy'? Don't 'regulate us to death' We know best what to do. Yep with a whole list of qualifiers and exclusions... So, when things go wrong, we blame the gummint. Cost of doing business, risks of operation and all that- it boils down to BUSINESS and the buck. Pay extra extra for 'safety' or go cheaper and play roulette.
Honestly, that the Minn. State Dept. of Health put pieces together so quickly and helped folks get treatments and testing is really a credit to that STATE! That other states and the mfrs. got to working on it as well is a credit to them as well.
I only hope the very best for those afflicted tho! My heart truly goes out to them and how life-changing this PIN can be! - j