Sixteenth child added to Nevada cancer cluster

RENO, Nev. -- A sixteenth case of childhood leukemia has been confirmed in a cancer cluster that has baffled scientists and frightened residents in the northern Nevada town of Fallon, state health officials announced.

Acute lymphocytic leukemia was diagnosed in a 2 1/2-year-old former resident of Churchill County, according to the Nevada State Health Division. The child's name and gender were not released.

"This is devastating news," Gov. Kenny Guinn said in a statement Sunday. "We are diligently working, using every resource, to find answers for the families coping with this health crisis."

Health officials have said that, given an average rate of about three childhood cases per 100,000 children, they would normally expect to see about one case every five years in the Fallon area, which has a population of 26,000.

Of the confirmed childhood leukemia victims linked to Fallon since 1997, two have died.

Floyd Sands, the father of one of those who died, called news of the latest Fallon case disturbing.

"When are these people going to do something real?" he asked the Reno Gazette-Journal. "I don't believe those people have done anything real so far."