In recent times the word Ebola is almost synonymous with fear. This is understandable because it is one of the most deadly viruses that have ever hit the world. It has no cure nor a vaccine as yet. But is this the only disease that have been attacking the world?

Since the start of this year 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) has published a long list of viral diseases that are attacking the world. I have counted at least a dozen different diseases including Ebola. Among these diseases are the human infections with avian influenza (H7N9), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV); Ebola virus disease; Chikungunya; Polio outbreak in the Middle East and Cameroon; Cholera outbreak in South Sudan; Entirovirus D68 in the USA; Marburg virus disease in Uganda.

Marburg is a hemorrhagic fever caused by a virus. It was first recognized in 1967 and is said to originate from the fruit bat. Marburg virus is closely related to the Ebola virus. The first four of these diseases on the above list are currently the most popular with the Ebola being by far the deadliest.

We cannot forget the HIV virus which is still infecting millions of people all over the world. Since the first cases of HIV in 1981, over twenty five million people have died from this disease. This makes it one of the most destructive epidemics in history. It is believed that over forty million people worldwide are infected with HIV.

The question that is on everyone’s mind is why are all these diseases developing so suddenly and where are their real origins? Scientists will tell you that many of these diseases originate in certain species of animals in Africa while other theories suggest that some of these diseases are manmade.

If these diseases originate in animals, how did it pass from animal to man or why does it pass from animal to man? If these diseases existed in animals then they should have infected man ages ago and not just recently.

While I am sure that there are quite plausible answers to my queries, the fact still remains: why now when we are so advanced in modern technology and when we have managed to eradicate some deadly ancient diseases such as small pox and the Bubonic plague that killed millions of people during the 14^th to 18^th centuries. Why are we now seeing a resurgent of these pestilences?

Whether these diseases are manmade or they originated in beasts, their true creator is from the pit of hell. The enemy has managed to find an avenue to release his plagues upon us because many of us have forsaken God and have turned to money and materialistic things. The further we drift from God, the more power we give to the enemy to perform his evil attack on us.

Chikungunya

When I first heard that name ‘Chikungunya’ last year it sounded like a strange foreign language. Now it is on everyone lips. They may not know how to spell it but they can pronounced it perfectly. This disease according to the World Health Organization (WHO) is spread by the Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes and it was first discovered in Southern Tanzania in 1952. The word chikungunya means ‘to become contorted,’ describing the deformed appearance (due to joint pain) of the individual who is suffering from this disease.

This disease suddenly attacks the individual with excruciating joint pain so much that the person is unable to walk or move. Then it is followed by fever, headaches, nausea, fatigue and the final phase of it is a rash. There is no cure for this disease and there is no vaccine. It is believed that it is a derivative of the Dengue fever which is also a mosquito borne viral disease.

However in all the years that I have known about dengue I have never seen it attacked so much people in so many different countries. Chikungunya have been identified in 40 different countries including Asia, Africa Europe, South America and it is now sweeping through the Caribbean. Recent report has shown that there is an outbreak in Florida with 11 people confirmed so far.

So far this disease has not caused large amounts of deaths. But complications can develop in the elderly which may lead to death. Since October 2014, the WHO recorded over 776,000 suspected cases of Chikungunya in the Caribbean and Latin American countries and over 152 deaths. However in my opinion the amount of cases is significantly higher than this and may be ranging in the millions.

An outbreak of this disease occurred in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1999 – 2000. There was also an outbreak in 2007 in Gabon. Then it spread to India, Indonesia, Thailand, Maldives, Myanmar, and South America and now it has infested the entire Caribbean.

Note carefully that according to WHO the first outbreak of Ebola was in Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo in 1976. Then suddenly in March 2014 the first cases of Ebola was notified to the WHO in West Africa which is the largest and most complex outbreak with a death rate of 50%.

This may sound farfetched to many people but it appears as if the Ebola virus is following a similar path as the Chikungunya. First Central Africa then West Africa – Asia – Americas and the Caribbean. Was it the plan of the enemy to first weaken the people with a less virulent disease then later send in the ‘big gun’ disease (Ebola) to wipe them out? Or is it the plan of the enemy for this disease to follow the slave trade route?

The entire Caribbean islands have been silent and blasé when we first heard about the Chikungunya. We were unprepared and hardly anybody was concerned about the people who were stricken with the disease. Now this disease is upon us.

Let us think carefully, are we going to be unconcerned about the Ebola disease which is ravishing our brothers and sisters in West Africa or we going to rise above our fear and complacency and come together in a strong unifying force to use the power of God to eradicate this disease before it reaches our land? Let us be wise and get proactive before it is too late.

Treatment and Prevention of Chikungunya

Since there is no cure for the Chikungunya disease the only form of treatment is palliative which means pain and fever medication and drinking large amount of water and fruit juices. Also taking vitamins during the attack can be beneficial since patients may lose their appetites during the onset of the disease.

The best remedy for Chikungunya is prevention. Destroying all the mosquitos’ breeding ground which may be water containers, flower pots, discarded cans and bottles. Insecticides should be used to spray the bushes and areas where mosquitoes breed; covering your exposed skin and using mosquito repellant; protect your windows and doors with insecticide treated mosquito nets.

During the onset of the disease it is important that the infected person change and wash their clothing and bed linen every day in order to decrease the concentration of the virus in their house.

It is also imperative that the surrounding is kept clean at all times. This can be a challenging situation when you live in a rental complex and your land lord does not take his responsibilities seriously.

Personal experience

The Chikungunya found an avenue to slip in my life when my body was at a low state. I was exhausted from overwork and my immune system decrease and this was its loophole. When I got up the Sunday morning with painful knees I refused to receive it.

I rebuked it and continue to chase it out of my body until it left in few days. I refused to accept it or to even call it by name. When I went to the doctor and he did a blood test it came back negative. The attack was a fake. The enemy only wanted to scare me.

Diseases may try to attack your body but my advice to you is to reject them with your spirit and chase them out of your system. Speak the healing words of God continually over your life. Do not claim this sickness even though you might see symptoms. Never say, “I have Chikungunya” because if you do you are immediately acknowledging it and receiving it. Always remember that your spoken words are powerful.

Pestilences and plagues will not find a resting place in your body when you dwell in the secret place of God. This place is an intimate relationship with God that we all need to seek and take refuge in these times. (Psalms 91)

Another important factor is that when we come together as a nation and humble ourselves and seek the Lord he will forgive our sins and heal our land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Pestilences are in the world but God is present in the midst of our trials, so seek him and put your trust in him.

Feel free to leave your comments and prayer requests in the reply box below.

References: ODDEE; WHO; Chikungunya; WHO Archive; Is Ebola man made?