by Terry Morgan
CHAPTER 26
Larry Brown was still working through his list of American pharmaceutical companies but, as he was drawing blanks at every stage, he decided to broaden it out to cover medical research companies.
It was as he checked out the Biox, Boston, Massachusetts website that he remembered something about two of their researchers going missing. Not only that but he had once met the Biox president, Josh Ornstein. He phoned Boston.
Larry was beginning to be impressed by the reaction to phone calls if he said he was calling from the American Embassy, Lagos. If he had just been Doctor Larry Brown from the Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, it was highly likely that the most any company boss would have done would have been to get his secretary to take a message.
As it was, he got straight through to Josh Ornstein and, pleasantries and introduction over, reminded him of when they'd met before. "The infection control conference in Seattle, Mr Ornstein. March last year. Remember?"
With more ice broken, Larry went on to briefly explain his new job. For a man heading a medical research company, not a manufacturer, Ornstein seemed unusually interested.
"Nigeria is where that outbreak of respiratory infections is being looked into, right Larry?"
That wasn't really why Larry had phoned but he said, "Yes, in fact it was me who notified WHO."
"You? Jesus. How did that happen then Larry?"
Larry briefly explained and added, "Right up your street isn't it, Josh - respiratory viruses?"
"That's why I asked. Any news on the virus, Larry? Is it a virus? I heard WHO were still waiting on tests. We asked as well but so far we've had nothing. The Thailand laboratory was leading on the virology - samples were going to London. All predictably slow. So what's happening in Nigeria?"
"Forget it, Josh. They're not that interested. I'm in touch with the Kano State government. If they hear of any more similar cases they've said they'll contact me. But a hundred deaths from what they regard as just a fever and a cough and cold are not exactly top priority. The Ministry obviously knows but what can anyone do after deaths. Sampling for tests for Flu virus needs to be done far sooner than that. So I'm also acting as a link to the WHO's Africa Regional Director."
"Have the very localised cases in Nigeria petered out, then Larry?"
"I assume so," said Larry, "But your guess is as good as mine. And there have been no more cases in Thailand either, as far as I'm aware. But we have a good description of the progress of the disease from Thailand. It seems to start as a simple cold but develops rapidly into this fever and cough. Patients don't even get to hospital. It could be they're still contracting it and dying out in the countryside. Local doctors have been asked to keep a look out but....."
"A very localised outbreak in Nigeria, then Larry?"
Again, Larry noticed Josh Ornstein's unusual interest in Nigeria. He decided not to tell him that a doctor was implicated but had disappeared. Let WHO announce that if they wished. Instead, Larry said, "But of course there was also a single case in Nairobi. It's probably unconnected but WHO have logged it."
"Of course," said Josh Ornstein. "We must all keep an eye on it."
Larry still sensed an interest that went beyond a scientific one. It looked personal. He noted it but decided to talk about his real reason for the call.
"So, Josh, I'm sat here in Lagos with the US Government breathing down my neck wanting more healthcare exports to Nigeria. What's your strategy in Africa?"
"We do research, Larry. Once we have find something we sell it to others. Exports is not our thing."
Larry Brown was still without his focus.