New Deadly Disease In South America and Caribbean

“A virus believed to cause under-developed brains and skulls in newborn babies has sparked a public health emergency in Brazil and the Caribbean. The Zika virus, a mosquito-borne disease similar to dengue fever, was first identified on Easter Island, Chile in February last year and has spread to Brazil, Columbia and the Caribbean” (The Independent, November 19, 2015). Health officials across the region warned authorities to prepare for “a potential burden at all levels of health care” as doctors began treating patients with the disease, and health officials in Europe are concerned the virus could spread to the continent (Ibid.). This is happening as “Scientists in China discover a gene that enables resistance to move between bacteria—which is likely to spread worldwide”—making treatment even harder (The Guardian, November 18, 2015).

Jesus Christ prophesied that one of the signs of the end of the age would be widespread “pestilences”—outbreaks of diseases—that would devastate populations (Luke 21:7-11; Revelation 6:8). As we see these prophecies coming to pass, we need to earnestly pray “Thy kingdom come” (Matthew 6:10). For more about signs of the end of the age, see our revealing booklet, Fourteen Signs Announcing Christ’s Return.