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