Virus & Violence

The Ebola outbreak in Central Africa is suspected to have killed 220+ people and infected more than 900.

The World Health Organization’s director-general warned that the epidemic is outpacing their urgently scaled-up efforts. A lack of qualified personnel, supply shortages, and attacks on treatment centers are hampering WHO responses.

Authorities are attempting to minimize spread by managing burials, leading to at least three attacks by angry residents trying to claim the bodies of loved ones. One attack on Saturday left 18 potentially infected patients unaccounted for. 

The White House warned Congo’s national fútbol squad to remain in a “bubble” for 21 days or risk not being allowed to travel to the World Cup. Atlanta and Houston—both World Cup host cities—are two of three U.S. airports screening passengers coming from Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan.

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A verse to consider when faced with news of a growing outbreak… “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (CSB) (read full passage)