Submitted by Tyler Durden on 01/28/2016 10:22 -0500
Meet the new Ebola.
Well over a year since the global fears over the Ebola epidemic sent US stocks reeling in late 2014 ahead of an even sharper rebound, today the head of the World Health Organization delivered a very stern warning when she said that the Zika virus, a mosquito-borne pathogen that may cause birth defects when pregnant women are infected, has been “spreading explosively” in South and Central America.
“The level of alarm is extremely high,” WHO director general Margaret Chan said Thursday in an e-mailed statement according to Bloomberg. Chan said she will convene an emergency meeting on Feb. 1 in Geneva to consider whether to declare the outbreak a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern,” which can coordinate government responses to direct money and resources at the virus. She added that the spread of the mosquito-borne disease had gone from a mild threat to one of alarming proportions.
Bloomberg adds that according to Chan researchers are working to determine the exact link between the virus and birth defects such as microcephaly, which causes babies to be born with abnormally small heads and potential developmental problems. “The possible links, only recently suspected, have rapidly changed the risk profile of Zika, from a mild threat to one of alarming proportions,” Chan told members of the WHO executive board in Switzerland.
One way in which the Zika virus is comparable to Ebola is that in both cases there is no vaccine and it could take years before one is available.
Another way the Ebola scenario could come back with a vengeance is that the WHO said that it expects the infection to eventually become common in the U.S. Travelers from countries with outbreaks have already been diagnosed on their return to America.
A report from Reuters confirmed this, when it noted that according to the WHO, the Zika virus may affect “between three million and four million people.”
The WHO’s director-general said the spread of the mosquito-borne disease had gone from a mild threat to one of alarming proportions.
Marcos Espinal, an infectious disease expert at the WHO’s Americas regional office, said: “We can expect 3 to 4 million cases of Zika virus disease”. He gave no time frame.
The WHO also added that it wants to prevent inappropriate trade or travel limits due to Zika, but it may be too late for that:
The WHO said it is working to increase surveillance and diagnosis of the virus to spot new cases. Public health officials may also work on methods of mosquito control, hoping to control the virus’s spread by reducing the vector it uses to travel from host to new victim.
That could be difficult because of the El Nino weather pattern, Chan said, which will bring unusually heavy rains, creating puddles and pools where the bugs can breed.
The new threat is that the virus, which has long been present in Africa and equatorial Asia, has spread to 23 countries in the Americas, according to the WHO. While many populations where the virus has long been present have immunity, that’s not the case in newly affected areas, which has raised the agency’s level of concern.
Without a vaccine or effective treatment, some countries have told women to put off getting pregnant for several years.
But the worst news from this outbreak may be for Brazil which has reported 3,893 suspected cases of microcephaly, the WHO said last week, more than 30 times more than in any year since 2010 and equivalent to 1-2 percent of all newborns in the state of Pernambuco, one of the worst-hit areas.
Workers in hazmat suits fumigate the Sambadrome ahead of Carnival celebrations in Rio de Janiero, Brazil.
It is so bad that Brazil has warned the viral outbreak may affect the 2016 Summer Olympics, with the government admitting that it has been a formidable fight. Earlier this week, Brazilian Health Minister Marcelo Castro said the country was losing the battle.
Rio’s authorities have been particularly alarmed by the statement, as the city, usually a hotspot for dengue, will receive hundreds of thousands of visitors during the upcoming Carnival and the Olympic Games set to open in August.
The anxiety over the spread of the Zika virus has become international after several Latin American countries reported hundreds of Zika cases.
Earlier this week, the United States reported its first microcephaly case related to the Zika virus. The mother of the infected baby has been to Latin America. Some countries have issued alerts warning pregnant women not to travel to Zika-affected regions.
Will the Zika panic reach Ebola proportions? For now the story has been mostly contained domestically, however several more Zika cases on US soil and the fear and loathing of October 2014 may quickly repeat once again.
OTOH, the WHO is looking for increased funding. After all, all Gov’t agencies and NGO’s are in a fight to get their slice of the Gov’t pie.
Plague Cycle: Moving into Peak 2017-2020
Posted on January 27, 2016 by Martin Armstrong
Plagues
In the “Cycle of War” report, we mentioned in passing our models on plagues. We reported that this cycle nearly matched the war cycle coming in at 25.15 years. Unfortunately, this has turned up also in 2014. We warned that the Ebola virus was in a bullish trend and should reach a major event in 2019. Interestingly enough, the places with the least impact should be New Zealand and Scotland.
We certainly seem due for a pandemic, which likely will occur between 2017 and 2020 thanks to the abuse of antibiotics. There has been an evolution in disease and superbugs are emerging. Now there is Zika, the mosquito-borne virus sweeping Latin America and impacting 22 countries. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has issued a level two travel warning for Central America, the Caribbean, South America, Puerto Rico, and Mexico.
Only one in five people affected with Zika will become ill, and many remain unaware that they carry the virus. The disease appears as a mild case of the flu with headaches, muscle and joint pain, mild fever, and a rash. However, the virus holds serious implications for pregnant women as it can transfer to the unborn child and cause serious, life-threatening, developmental issues. Governments are warning women not to get pregnant as there is no known treatment for the Zika virus.
The virus is spreading rapidly and scientists are trying to determine whether the disease can be transmitted sexually as well. In fact, Zika is spreading so rapidly that 20 travel-based cases have already appeared in the U.S. One such case appeared right here in New Jersey when a woman visiting from Colombia fell ill.
We are in a very strong upward cycle for disease. This will get worse as we enter the 2017 to 2020 timeframe.
Microcephaly – this will be a great supply of managers and politicians.
When I read about this virus, my first thought was that this looks to be a great vector for culling the population or at least lowering its impact on the biosphere. This may be humanity’s next evolutionary step: our too-big brains have been the cause of planetary near-destruction, so nature provided a way to seriously dumb-down our species.
FEAR! NEED TO RATCHET UP MORE FEAR!
First it was “Swine Flu”.
Then we had “Bird Flu”.
Last year it was “Ebola”.
And this year? TAHDAH! We have “Zika”. Sounds bad, doesn’t it.
QUICK! LOOK OVER HERE. ZIKA! Run for the hills!!!
Now we have a second city with “deadly high” levels of lead in the drinking water.
QUICK! Get a hold of ‘Nestle’ and order in enough bottled water for a couple million people.
KACHING! Or is that cashing? Ring that cash register. Buy back more stock. Lay offs coming.
WOW! Really pulling out all the stops now, as the system teeters on the edge. Whats that I heard out of the Ukraine? A new strain of flu? Very deadly? Many deaths already? EEeeYIKES!
RUN FOR HILLS. SAVE YOURSELF! THE SKY IS FALLING!
Bio weapon.
Us or them? Bring back ddt. Oh us dont matter do we…
Mosquiotos not the only vector. Also spread by sting of the zika lon bee.
i read that it first appeared in africa in the 40’s.
do they export anything other than diseases and a dipshit prez?
This virus has been around since 1947 when it was identified on the island of Yap in the South Pacific. At that time, 3/4 of the island population was infected, but it has symptoms like the flu, and it passes. It showed up again in Central America in 1954, again a number of cases, no fatalities.
Now we have this outcry because it may, I’d even say likely, cause babies to be born with small heads, microcephaly … if the mother is infected … at a particular point in the pregnancy … and the virus crosses the placental barrier. The total number of cases of Zika linked microcephaly in Brazil, the hot spot now, last year – 47.
One number everyone is focusing on is the huge jump in the number of cases of microcephaly in Brazil. What is missing from EVERY report I’ve read is that 2015 was the first year that Brazil mandated reporting of microcencophaly as a birth defect, so of course the number will jump, reporting before that was incidental.
So now we have all the attention, the WHO, CDC, UN and others calling for $$$$$$$$$$ to be put into research and the search for a vaccine which would cost how much per dose, for tens of millions of people?
By comparison, 50,000 DIE from the flu in the US every year, and 625,000 die of malaria each year. Then again, those dying from the flu are usually already immunocompromized, and malaria is prevented with spraying, mosquito nets, and Quinoline class drugs (many are generic for 150 years.)
So, who could possibly benefit from all this hub-bub about a new “outbreak” and the need for government $$$ to be poured into it? Oh, yeah. The drug companies.
TBound: the number of cases is higher than 27 but you are correct, it’s not as much as most have reported.
Researchers have been looking at 4,180 suspected cases of microcephaly reported since October. On Wednesday, officials said they had done a more intense analysis of more than 700 of those cases, confirming 270 cases and ruling out 462 others.
http://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2016-01-27/brazil-270-of-4-120-suspected-microcephaly-cases-confirmed
Warning not entirely sientiftic info. or even trooth filed
Anyway, here goes
It has been just found out by mediculled sienticks that a dangerous vier rus has just been discovered, existing in tropical areas for now, but that plans are currently underway for this danger stranger to soon invade the whole cott’n pick’n green p-p-p-p-planet. S-s-s-s-Sorry for that. Strangely indeed it is that this vie rus has not never till now been sientificullee noticed. Especially strangleeee since the sienticks also report that after being stabbed by moskitoes containind such vier us, the stabeee mothers- to- be present babies which have no or shrivelled branes.
But, we of the world, supposedly noos worthy citizens, have not till now ever heard of such a monstrous monster vier rus. Maybe Puttin made it. In his spare time from taking over our whole planet.
Must be him. But how could such a thing have existed till now, with all the scienticked knowledge, but only suddenly appear right now??? Although its effects certainly have been evident for some time, notably in the halls of some guvermunts.
Even WHO is panikked. And who is WHO? Why the same HOOO that has brought us free- kwent world wide paniks before. Everbuddy noes WHO. Listen to WHO. And, obeh HOOO. Hoo knows. Like the WIZERD.
Anyway, if it was not Puttin, there can be onlee one other xplain. That is , the effects of World Warming. And, since the climate is changing so quickee, you can be sure that the vie rus will soon invade a nayberhood near yoo., even to the far poles of our crisping irth. And that meens, fokes, everywhere, that when Planet Save Irthpursson arrives and tells you to stop breathing owwt carbon di ockside, you must obey. Immediately Right now. Just think. How yore little hooman sackrifise will help save the plan ett.
sighned
In luv
A
Our ancestors learned that they had to either drain a swamp or turn it into a pond so minnows, beatles, tadpoles etc would eat the mosquito larva. Then the Commie EPA ruled you cannot do either so mosquitoes could thrive and spread disease. I know because I own land in Tenn, Fla and Ga and have battled EPA about this. Their own state scientists told me on the QT that it is the Federal EPA that refuses to allow common sense because they have an anti-population (esp rural) Agenda.
Brazilian Shrunken Head Babies: Zika or Tdap?
https://brazilianshrunkenheadbabies.wordpress.com/
Possible vaccine link.
Bob.
Nothing good comes ever comes out of Africa…
“She added that the spread of the mosquito-borne disease had gone from a mild threat to one of alarming proportions” ————— from the article
What’s the big deal? “Alarming proportions” is the lowest stage of concern known to man. For example, Moochelle’s ass is growing in size to alarming proportions. See? No big deal, not even Barry cares.
Stage 5 —- alarming proportions
Stage 4 —- shit is getting real now
Stage 3 —- goddammit, time for a GoFundMe page
Stage 2 —- humanity is on the verge of total extinction
Stage 1 —- Oh fuck! CNN will cover this non-stop for week!
This planet NEEDS a good pandemic or three! Don’t even try to fight ’em. Just let them run their course. A good pandemic would do wonders for Mordor. It would have a marvelous effect on the FSA and could even reduce prison populations so each man gets a private room! Global warming would be reduced with far fewer hoomans generating all that carbon. Think of the sanitizing effect it would have on college campuses! All the chirrens running around screaming about safe spaces would be replaced by chirrens happy to be alive due in part to their improved job prospects. The unemployment rate would crater not to mention the ginormous numbers of literal “shovel ready” jobs that would become available overnight! There would be far fewer people to hate…..Democrats, Republicans, sand niggers, regular niggers, beaners, crackers, dot head injuns, ‘Murican injuns, chinks, jews………..the list goes on and on!
The only downside I see is that the survivors would become stronger and more resilient! There’s always a dark lining to every silver cloud though!
Microcephaly usually presents as a tiny damaged brain.
The disorder is very rare. The patient is usually doomed,
subject to constant seizures. These babies don’t survive
for very long. In the USA women can be shamed for having
a glass of wine, or smoking a cigarette, while pregnant.
And yet, people are accepting vaccinations/Tdap while
pregnant?? Bad medicine.
Who doesn’t like a little head once in a while?
If the CDC and the WHO are calling it a “threat of alarming proportions” then I’m not going to lose any sleep over it.
Bummer for Brazil, though. They got fucked in the World Cup, their economy is disintegrating, they can’t afford the summer Olympics, crime is out of control…….well, let’s call it even more out of control then normal, and the peasants are revolting.
At least they, and all the other South American nations, have the good old USSA looking out for them! All is well. We have our top people on it.
Top. People.
And Doug Casey wants me to move to Argentina? Is he fucking kidding me? Hell, I don’t want to live south of the Mason-Dixon line, let alone move to SA. If I want to see spics, I’ll drive through Willimantic CT and wave at the gozillions of goddamn Puerto Ricans and Guatemalans living there.
Researchers have been looking at 4,180 suspected cases of microcephaly reported since October.
So thats what happened to Zippy the Pinhead and beebs.
Anyhoo, WHO needed another thing to rail about since Ebola wasnt the end of humanity.
rhs it was Nixon that signed EPA into law.
In 1971, I submitted to the Congress my new National Health Strategy which would produce the kind of health care Americans desire and deserve, at costs we all can afford.
That quote, above, was from Nixon that commie Nixon.
Read the rest here: http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=3757
“The United States Environmental Protection Agency[2] (EPA or sometimes USEPA) is an agency of the U.S. federal government which was created for the purpose of protecting human health and the environment by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress.[3] The EPA was proposed by President Richard Nixon and began operation on December 2, 1970, after Nixon signed an executive order.”
Damn RINOS.
Damn the Communist and the RINOs; full speed ahead! Trump was a rich NYC Liberal ass licker and Rebel Flag hater so he was a natural enemy …until TPTB pissed in his milkshake. Now his new enemies are our old enemies and he has the passion and the natural ability to fire their dandy asses like a Gen NB Forrest, Lee, Jackson and Patton. Sign up for Trump; let’s roll!
Gosh, a virus that causes microencephaly in infants. Would be a real shame if it spread here.
It’s bad enough that our normal sized brains have been turned to mush by teevee and our schools, now they will be much smaller to boot!
Will we be a nation of Microencephalic Sheep?????