My professor claims that two Lebanese engineers whom he knows went to Africa (he said they went to Rowandi, I think he meant Rwanda, but I am not sure), their job was to supervise road construction projects there, which meant that they had to go to forests and the like.

As you know, one of the worst diseases one can encounter in some parts of Africa is malaria, our two dudes were unlucky enough to be stung by the Anopheles mosquito and receive their dose of P.falciparum, one of the mose dangerous malaria-causing parasites. They were sent back to Lebanon where my professor supervided their therapy, he said it took five days of agressive measures to save our engineers.

It turned out later that they did meet a doctor before going to Africa and were advised about protection (using insect repellents and nests) and prophylaxis (taking anti-parasitic drugs before and during their stay), but they ignored the advice.

One of the brothers learned his lesson, the second one, however, went back to the same country. Again, he did not take precations, and again, the parasite found its way into his body.

If he thought that he gained life-long immunity after his first encounter, he was sadly mistaken, the second encounter was even more severe than the first, and our engineer had to be flown into South Africa where he stayed in the ICU in one of the most advanced hospitals there for over a month!! This time however, the doctors refused to allow him to go back to his projects and "forced" him -as my professor claims- into the first plane to Beorut, in an attempt to save him from his own stupidness.

Submitted on 12/13/2006

Submitted by: Tareq
Reference: none

Copyright © 2006 DarwinAwards.com

James said:
Neutral: Personal Account
Thanks for submitting, Tareq! Did I understand you as saying these two were brothers? If so, I guess there's SOME hope for thye family as one "brother" knew batter than to go again! All in all an amusing PA I will gladly share with the readers!

Graham said:
Neutral: Personal Account
Anti-malarial medications do not guarantee that one will not contract malaria, merely lessen the odds. Still, NOT taking precautions was very silly indeed, especially in Africa. Malaria is still mankind's number one killer. Of the 380 varieties of anopholes mozzies, SIXTY carry the parasite! Not good odds for the unprotected.

Jack said:
Neutral: Personal Account
"If at first you don't succeed..." I like this story and think that the chap deserves recognition. for his determination.

Chip said:
Neutral: Personal Account
Thanks for the story! I liked your write up. Some people never learn, do they?

Darwin said:
Definitely Toss: Too Common
Is it just me, or does your skin crawl when you see, "my parasitology professor" ?!! Tareq I certainly see the Darwin-merit of your nomination. To be aware of malaria but fail to take precautions *is* stupid. Especially twice. OTOH malaria is common, and the precautions to protect oneself against a small mosquito are quite bothersome. It kind-of sort-of seems like an accident. So I have to reluctantly say "no" to this suggestion. However, it certainly should be used in a safety lesson.

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