BEHOLD A PALE HORSE: Scientists warn of H7N9 flu that kills 4-in-10

Scientists have warned they are monitoring a potentially deadly new disease in China. Dubbed H7N9, the disease is a strain of avian flu that has infected nearly 1,700 people and killed more than 600. The disease has pandemic potential. 

World health authorities are on the lookout for new cases of H7N9, which has pandemic potential.

Highlights

By Marshall Connolly (Catholic Online)
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
6/18/2018 (7 years ago)

Published in Health

Keywords: H7N9, avian, flu, pandemic, deadly, warning, China

LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) - Scientists are monitoring a new strain of avian flu that appears to have pandemic potential. Cataloged H7N9, the flu has appeared in poultry flocks across China. The disease does not yet transmit easily from human-to-human, although a few cases of such transmission have been reported. Instead, it transmits from bird to human, usually as a result of prolonged contact. 

Scientists studying the disease warn it is only a few mutations away from being able to transmit from person to person. The flu virus mutates constantly, so there is a distinct possibility this can happen. 

The disease was first recorded in March 2013. There have been six outbreaks since then. The disease has killed 623 people out of the 1,625 reported infected. The death rate is close to forty percent. 

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, Deputy-Cheif Medical Officer for England has warned the public there that the disease has a proven ability to jump from birds to humans. "It is possible it could be the cause of the next pandemic," he said. 

The disease causes fever, cough, and pneumonia. It then develops into septic shock and causes organ failure and death. 

Experts have long warned that Earth is overdue for a new pandemic. Encroachment on natural habitats exposes people to new diseases carried by animals and insects. Overcrowded cities promotes the swift transmission and mutation of diseases. The ease and speed of international travel means a pathogen which transmits easily from person to person can also spread internationally within hours. 

As a result, officials must always be vigilant, constantly on the lookout for new diseases. 

In the case of H7N9, only those who are in contact with birds seem to be at risk. However, if the right mutation occurs, then the disease could begin spreading from person to person. In such a case, an outbreak will be likely. 

In the event of an outbreak, public health facilities are likely to be overwhelmed, and if the disease kills 40 percent of victims, widespread panic could result.

And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. (Revelation 6:8)