Developing nations in danger as swine flu continues to spread - 8 July 2009  

Developing nations in danger as swine flu continues to spread.

More than 94,500 swine flu cases in at least 124 countries have been officially reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). Of these, around 430 people across five continents have lost their lives to the unrelenting virus. In Germany, after 10 cases of swine flu were reported in Berlin and Bayreuth, officials decided to close schools for a week to halt the spread of the pandemic.

Indeed, authorities fear the upcoming fall, when the virus could mutate and spread more rapidly as children return to school. In the southern hemisphere, countries such as Argentina are seeing numbers continue to rise, with now 60 people who have perished and the country’s health minister saying that 90% of the likely 100,000 unofficial cases could be attributed to swine flu.

On July 6, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that over US$1 billion may be needed to assist less fortunate countries in coping with the virus. Many of these nations are already plagued with other health problems such as AIDS, pneumonia, malaria and tuberculosis.

WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan said, “Many of the developing countries have weak health systems. They actually go into this pandemic what I call empty-handed. They don't have antivirals. They don't have vaccines. They don't have antibiotics.”

We appreciate the efforts of Secretary-General Ban, Dr. Chan and all others working to address this global pandemic. Our sympathies and shared loss for the families of those who have succumbed to this illness as we wish a fast recuperation for the afflicted. Praying for humanity’s soon awakening to the factory farming source of this disease for a worldwide switch to the most humane and safe plant-based lifestyle.