The deadly virus causing AIDS known as HIV has long been linked to hunting for “bushmeat” from chimpanzees and gorillas. A new study by French virologists just discovered a new strain of HIV in humans, the first of its kind coming from gorillas, whereas until now, links were only made to chimpanzees.
Dr. Michael Greger, a medical doctor and author of “Bird Flu: A Virus of our Own Hatching,” explained why many such formidable diseases are preventable.
Dr. Michael Greger – Author of “Bird Flu: A Virus of our Own Hatching”, Vegan (M): The deforestation in Africa was the transnational timber corporations hacking deep into the rainforests, dragging along the hungry migrant workforce who survived on bushmeat, these live animals killed for food. And so someone butchered a chimpanzee a few decades ago. 25 million people are dead because of that practice. We can stop that practice.
VOICE: Indeed, the practice of beef production has led to the destruction of the Amazon rainforest and subsequent uncovering of multiple severe new hemorrhagic fever viruses.
Likewise, the fatal mad cow disease and multi-drug resistant bacteria would not have emerged if it weren’t for our livestock activities.
Dr. Michael Greger (M): So it’s the combination of the destruction of animal habitat, and the consumption of wild animals that led the emergence of a number of diseases which otherwise we would not have come in contact with. How we treat animals can have global public health implications.
VOICE: The current swine flu pandemic may also have been prevented if pig farms and their perilous conditions did not exist to generate new flu viruses.The daily update from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control cites a world total of 188,139 cases with 1,265 fatalities in some 160 countries. In reality, experts admit that many times more are most likely infected.
Over 1,700 Israelis have tested positive with swine flu with 700 new cases each week, but actual numbers are estimated to approach 10,000.In New South Wales, Australia, a hospital shut its doors to new patients after 7 staff members fell ill.
Qatar reported her first fatality, while Singapore saw the death of an otherwise healthy woman. Our prayers for all those who are suffering from swine flu, HIV, avian flu, salmonella, or other meat-related diseases.
Sending condolences to those who have lost loved ones, we pray for the protection of public health that come from avoiding altogether the daily sacrifice of hundreds of millions of animals, by choosing instead the life-honoring vegan organic diet.
Referencehttp://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/10/26/1098667757404.htmlhttp://www.france24.com/en/20090802-new-hiv-strain-leapt-humans-gorillas-studyhttp://www.smh.com.au/national/swine-flu-shuts-hospital-as-pigs-get-virus-20090801-e53z.htmlhttp://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/446342/1/.htmlhttp://www.sis.gov.eg/En/EgyptOnline/Miscellaneous/000003/0207000000000000002260.htm