An outbreak of Zika fever, caused by the virus of the same name, is
currently spreading throughout Central and South America. Some
scientists are predicting that it will reach the United States by the
end of the year.
Zika is spread primarily by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is found in tropical and subtropical areas of the Americas; it can also be spread by the Aedes alsopictus (“Asian tiger”) mosquito, which has reached as far north as the Great Lakes region in North America.
Symptoms for this disease are similar to dengue fever, but most of those infected show no signs of sickness. The greatest concern is the possible effect on unborn children. There could be a connection, some scientists believe, between the Zika virus and children born with microcephaly—a birth defect characterized by below-average head size.
Though not yet described as a worldwide pandemic, this particular infectious disease has the potential to become such a scourge. Indeed, the virus was first discovered in Uganda in the 1940s, but has already spread to Latin America. It is perhaps most notable that the summer Olympic games will be held in Rio this year—when athletes and fans will be coming in droves from nations around the world.
Recently, the Brazilian federal government mobilized 60 percent of its armed forces—220,000 soldiers—to educate their population on how to combat potential infection. The best way to fight against this and another other mosquito-borne illness is to remove stagnant water where mosquitos breed and protect yourself against mosquito bites.
Zika is spread primarily by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is found in tropical and subtropical areas of the Americas; it can also be spread by the Aedes alsopictus (“Asian tiger”) mosquito, which has reached as far north as the Great Lakes region in North America.
Symptoms for this disease are similar to dengue fever, but most of those infected show no signs of sickness. The greatest concern is the possible effect on unborn children. There could be a connection, some scientists believe, between the Zika virus and children born with microcephaly—a birth defect characterized by below-average head size.
Though not yet described as a worldwide pandemic, this particular infectious disease has the potential to become such a scourge. Indeed, the virus was first discovered in Uganda in the 1940s, but has already spread to Latin America. It is perhaps most notable that the summer Olympic games will be held in Rio this year—when athletes and fans will be coming in droves from nations around the world.
Recently, the Brazilian federal government mobilized 60 percent of its armed forces—220,000 soldiers—to educate their population on how to combat potential infection. The best way to fight against this and another other mosquito-borne illness is to remove stagnant water where mosquitos breed and protect yourself against mosquito bites.
One of the signs of the end predicted by Christ is that there would be “pestilences” (Matthew 24:7). A pestilence is an infectious or contagious disease that reaches epidemic proportions. Certainly we have seen such pandemics recently take place, as with the Ebola virus. The Zika outbreak could become a global epidemic.
But whether the Zika outbreak heats up or fizzles out, Christians have no need to fear. Instead, we should respond wisely to disease outbreaks by taking appropriate precautions. While we know such epidemics are a sign of the times, we can strengthen our own immunity to disease by living a healthy lifestyle and using wise methods of treating illness. At the same time, we should show compassion to the suffering and do what is in our power to educate others to the laws of caring for our bodies.
If you would like to learn more about the last days of Earth’s history, watch the stunning documentary The Final Event of Bible Prophecy with Pastor Doug Batchelor:
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