Mr. Boni said the media glare surrounding the case has taken an emotional toll on the boy and his mother, and that recent remarks by Mr. Sandusky's lawyer, Joseph Amendola of State College, Pa.

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The reported death toll gives the Middle East-based disease a case fatality rate of about 60%, similar to that of the feared H5N1 avian flu.

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But the case of Anne the Elephant has taken its toll.

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