Story by Chris Meehan.
A mosquito-borne virus called chikungunya is spreading rapidly throughout the Caribbean, with more than 700,000 suspected cases in the region, according to the Pan American Health Organization. In a newspaper report, Grenada’s prime minister said the virus has hit that island nation very hard.
Grenada branch leader Dominic Jeremiah says that many members have experienced the painful flu-like symptoms that come with chikungunya. “Just about every household in the community has had at least one or two people infected by the virus at various times.” Because mosquitoes can easily spread the virus from one person to the next, the branch has had to temporarily suspend its community meetings, along with men’s and women’s groups.
The branch in Kingston, Jamaica, appears to have escaped infection so far, although branch leader Locksley Robinson explains that it's difficult to tell who has contracted chikungunya. “This disease has struck Jamaica at the beginning of our rainy season, when colds and the flu are common anyway. The symptoms can be similar at points so it's hard to tell who has it and who doesn't. The main treatment is a pain reliever, Panadol, which is available over the counter, so most people treat themselves and it doesn't get reported.”
Chikungunya causes severe joint pain and fever, and typically involves muscle aches, headaches, joint swelling and rashes. There is no cure, and in some cases the disease can be fatal. According to a report in the Grenada Informer, a weekly newspaper, 87% of victims recover after two weeks but face the threat of severe arthritic pain resurfacing weeks later and lingering for years. Infants and the elderly are particularly vulnerable. The virus is spread by mosquitoes, not by direct human-to-human contact.
Dominic reports that, despite the virus, public and private establishments in Grenada like schools and offices are running mostly as normal. “Some of these places cannot function at optimal productivity levels because of the absence of workers,” he says, adding that many teachers and students at Presentation Brothers College, where he is principal, had to be sent home when they exhibited symptoms of the virus.
“The biggest lesson for us under these circumstances is to try to stay in touch with each other,” says Dominic. “We must ensure that the the elderly, the pregnant and little children receive special protection. At the same time we are trying to ensure that everyone is calm, hopeful and doing all that they need to do to be healed as quickly as possible. We are certainly learning how to be concerned for each other and how to care for each other.”
Locksley acknowledges that the epidemic might be still its early stages. “We’ll just have to wait and see. In the meantime, we’ll be looking out for each other.”
Jim Bulger (Servant Branch), who regularly visits Grenada on behalf of the People of Praise branch relations council, has asked the whole community for prayer. Kevin Ranaghan, head of the council, adds, “We are investigating the situation to see how we might be able to help our brothers and sisters and their families in this medical emergency.”
Responses
Susan & Stephen Busk says:
September 26th, 2014 at 11:51 AM
We will be praying for the safety of all the brothers & sisters and for the entire region to be delivered from this
disease. Come Lord Jesus!
Karen Heintzelman says:
September 26th, 2014 at 12:15 PM
My heart and my prayers go out to all of you brothers and sisters. We love you!
Julie Walters says:
September 26th, 2014 at 4:29 PM
Clem and I will pray for all of you to be healed quickly and that no one will have lasting side effects. Also we will pray against pestilence so this disease will be stopped.
Blessing so you all.
Clem and Julie Walters
Edwin Brown says:
September 26th, 2014 at 5:10 PM
There is a natural treatment for viruses and dangerous germs. It is popularly called "colloidal silver" and has proven successful in tests against many common infectious agents. My wife and I have used it for years. It will stop colds and flu in their tracks. It has stopped bladder infections for me many times.
This silver water can be purchased directly from Amazon, but it is expensive there. You can also buy a generator that runs on nine volt batteries and will yield 14 liquid ounces in about 5 hours. This stuff works! The medical establishment poo poos it.
Try it and see. You have nothing to lose. Any risk is associated with massive dosages. A normal dosage is only a few ounces and has no harmful side effects.
Ann Hagens says:
September 26th, 2014 at 6:47 PM
Will keep you in pray brothers and sisters. From a sister in the Servant branch in Minnesota.
Nancy Grams says:
September 27th, 2014 at 1:21 PM
Louis and I will be praying for all our brothers and sisters in the Caribbean for protection, healing and the peace of the Lord.
We love you all!
Barbara Drake says:
September 28th, 2014 at 10:51 PM
The South Bend Tribune's Sunday newspaper has a story on this virus and illness that is sweeping not only the Caribbean islands but also Central America and even northern South America. Hopefully the US will respond as we are to the epidemic of ebola in some countries in Africa.
Bill Sjoberg says:
October 2nd, 2014 at 4:52 PM
Prayers being sent from NOVA
tom caneff says:
October 6th, 2014 at 10:03 AM
We are praying!!
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