Avian Flu Possibly Passed Among Humans

PHOENIX – The World Health Organization (WHO) is reporting that several deaths from the Avian flu in a region of Indonesia may be the result of human-to-human contact. If so, it would be the first such confirmed transmission, the first in a serious of steps identified by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as precursors of an outbreak. Up to now, the only means for the disease to be transmitted has been from infected poultry to humans.

According to the report, seven people have been infected, with six of them having died. It continues, “The father (who died) was closely involved in caring for his son, and this contact is considered a possible source of infection.”

Von Roebuck, an official with the CDC confirmed the WHO report, which can be found at http://www.who.int/csr/don/2006_05_23/en/index.html. The report notes, “All confirmed cases in the cluster can be directly linked to close and prolonged exposure to a patient during a phase of severe illness. Although human-to-human transmission cannot be ruled out, the search for a possible alternative source of exposure is continuing.”

Still, the WHO cautioned, “To date, the investigation has found no evidence of spread within the general community and no evidence that efficient human-to-human transmission has occurred.”

‘Be Ready, Be There’
In response to this latest news from Indonesia, Christian Emergency Network (CEN) Founder and CEO Mary Marr said, “This news points again to the importance of Christians taking simple steps to be ready. In less time than it takes to prepare for a tailgate party, you can take all the steps necessary to protect your family in the event of an outbreak.”

“Health officials have been warning for months that the influenza strain could eventually pass from human-to-human, and that this would be one of the first signs of an impending pandemic that could kill millions around the world. Therefore, CEN is renewing a call to Christians to take the steps necessary to prepare themselves, their families, their churches and their communities for an outbreak that may require people to live through weeks of quarantines. Preparing is easy. Some things you have already. The rest of what you need can be picked up during your next trip to the grocery store, or by going to the CEN website.”

Marr added, “If Christians don’t prepare, they can expect to live through a period of danger and uncertainty with nothing to carry them through except what they have on hand at the last minute. Last hurricane season we saw that many levels of government are simply not prepared or equipped to respond to natural tragedies or other disasters. Should the Avian flu become a pandemic, it won’t be isolated to one part of the country like Louisiana. It will have nationwide impact and be nothing like any current generations of Americans have experienced. President Bush has already made it very clear that the federal government cannot step in and help every local community should their health care systems be overburdened. That places the responsibility squarely on the shoulders of individual Christians.”

Marr encouraged Christians, “You have a responsibility to be prepared not just to survive, but to be ready to help others. We saw from the hurricanes that many people did not take warnings seriously and then afterwards, well-meaning Christians, ill-equipped to help, rushed off anyway. Such a response is dangerous and often in-effective.” She continued, “God requires that Christians be prepared. It is essential that pastors convey to their congregants the importance of first protecting themselves. In doing so, they will not be a burden on the health care system. They should also inform themselves as to how individuals, families and institutions should prepare for a potential pandemic. We encourage pastors to speak with local health officials and even seek ways to collaborate with them so that the Church will be at the forefront of response and care if that becomes necessary.” She continued, “Ultimately, as Christians, we have a responsibility to do all that we can to make sure we’re alive. Should there be an Avian flu pandemic, the world will be looking for answers that only the Church has. We must be present to tell them of the hope made possible only through Jesus Christ.”

Marr noted that the CEN offers a biblical model of disaster response of Prayer-Care-Share. Marr called upon Christians to pray continuously, to be vigilant about daily Bible study, to be prepared for disaster themselves, and to boldly share the hope of Jesus. She cautioned, however, “We must avoid the temptation to attempt to understand God’s ways. When we say that God is judging this sin or that sin, we are forgetting that ‘all have sinned.’ No, rather than point fingers at groups of people or particular sins, the cause of Christ is best served when we simply point to Him. His Spirit will then work in the hearts of those that respond to loving, kind Christian generosity. Our simple task is to be ready to share the hope of Jesus Christ in any situation and then to be there to help others in need.”