With
15 people who have succumbed to the disease, 39 are currently
hospitalized, 9 of whom are in intensive care as the total number of
cases rises to over 160. Most stem from areas in Macedonia that are in
close proximity to lakes and rivers. Nearly all of the victims have
suffered from the serious condition of encephalitis, an inflammation of
the brain caused by the illness.
In response, the Greek
government has allocated an additional €250,000 beyond the €300,000
initially pledged to help ensure prevention in the area. The West Nile
virus is transmitted by mosquitoes and has become a growing health
concern globally as its range widens with climate change.
Spokeswoman
for Greece’s Hellenic Centre for the Control and Prevention of
Diseases, Dr. Doritsa Bakka, noted that the spread of the disease had
worsened from this year’s hot, wet summer that created ideal breeding
grounds for the insects.
In a recent article published in the
infectious disease journal “Eurosurveillance,” Italian researchers
studying organ donors found to their surprise that certain serum samples
testing positive for the virus originated in regions where infection
previously wasn’t known to be a risk.
In a related
“Eurosurveillance” editorial, the European Centre for Disease Prevention
and Control warned that heightened monitoring and preparedness for West
Nile virus is needed in Europe as human cases increase.
We thank
Dr. Bakka, the Hellenic Center for the Control and Prevention of
Diseases, and the Greek government for your concerned alert about the
increased vulnerability to this disease.
Our heartfelt prayers
for the recovery of those suffering from the West Nile virus, and that
we may speed our actions to halt climate change and restore the vitality
of both humans and the Earth.
Speaking with concern for
humanity’s welfare during a July 2008 videoconference with our
Association members in Washington, USA, Supreme Master Ching Hai
explained the most efficient way to curb such perils related to global
warming.
Supreme Master Ching Hai:
And some places may have more mental illness, and all kind of other
illnesses, and diseases go where they have not been before even. Like
mosquitoes, they migrate into different areas where they have not been
before because the climate is warmer.
So it depends on how many
people join the vegetarian diet. The more vegetarian people, the less
killing of the animals, the more time we have to rescue the planet and
the lives on the planet.
So everybody has to join to into the
vegetarian diet, and stop the killing, stop the harm to other people and
the animals and save energies every way possible and go green wherever
possible.
THEN WE STILL CAN SAVE THE PLANET
http://english.ruvr.ru/2010/08/25/17116855.html http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/other/wnv/news/aug2710wnv.html http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=19647 http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=19648