H5N1 AND YOU

From My Perspective - - -

It is often said that “the world is getting to be much smaller” as communication and world markets expand. Some nations that had been hesitant to be globally involved, except for expansionist purposes, are now large population centers with demand for economic inclusion. The world’s population has expanded greatly with some nations (India, China, etc.) having 1 billion plus citizens. With accelerated modernization, there is also demand for greater inclusion in the world’s markets. The United States of America places certain restrictions within its economy to prevent pollution, etc., as well as limiting the usage of certain chemicals and other ingredients in products to maintain and prevent health factors throughout the nation. However, other nations do not observe these same standards and values. This allowed for lead-based paint on several products from China – including children’s toys. If you haven’t noticed lately, many – if not most of our products are made outside of the United States with China being the largest exporter of goods to the USA.

As focus is placed on the world’s economy and markets, the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating and issuing alerts regarding the Confirmed Cases of Avian Influenza A (H5N1). In an assessment of the current situation, the following is stated: “The highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) epizootic (animal outbreak) in Asia, Europe, the Near East, and Africa is not expected to diminish significantly in the short term. It is likely that H5N1 virus infections among domestic poultry have become endemic in certain areas and that sporadic human infections resulting from direct contact with infected poultry and/or wild birds will continue to occur. So far, the spread of H5N1 virus from person-to-person has been very rare, limited and unsustained. However, this epizootic continues to pose an important public health threat…Research suggests that currently circulating strains of H5N1 viruses are becoming more capable of causing disease (pathogenic) in animals than were earlier H5N1 viruses. One study found that ducks infected with H5N1 virus are now shedding more virus for longer periods without showing symptoms of illness. This finding has implications for the role of ducks in transmitting disease to other birds and possibly to humans as well.”

“The World Health Organization has reported human cases of avian influenza A (H5N1) in Asia, Africa, the Pacific, Europe and the Near East. Indonesia and Vietnam have reported the highest number of H5N1 cases to date. Overall mortality in reported H5N1 cases is approximately 60%. The majority of cases have occurred among children and adults aged less than 40 years old. Mortality was highest in cases aged 10-19 years old. Studies have documented the most significant risk factors for human H5N1 infection to be direct contact with sick or dead poultry or wild birds, or visiting a live poultry market. Most human H5N1 cases have been hospitalized late in their illness with severe respiratory disease.” The speculation is this disease, if it makes the jump from poultry to humans could possibly have a 75% infection rate and a 50% mortality rate.

Consider these things with me - - - An interesting word appears in Exodus 15:25-26, “…the Lord made for them a statute and a rule, and he tested them, saying, If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer.” The very one who can control and heal all disease is the one our nation and world is reluctant to hear and heed. With all the Health and Environmental Laws that are passed and enforced, this nation and all nations of the world, continue to turn to other things and other religions rather than turning to Almighty God. He will get the attention of mankind one way or another. He would prefer response to His Word and His Son and His Gospel. When that path is rejected and ignored, H5N1 is merely one possibility on the horizon. How many Wars, Tsunamis, Earthquakes, Tornadoes, Wild Fires, Contagious Diseases and other violent displays will it take before Mankind and the World begins to pay attention to the Only True God?