Following the recent passing of a toddler who was visiting from Mexico, the Texas State Department of Health announced that a US resident in her 30s has now also succumbed to the swine flu.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control, the number of confirmed cases in the US has grown to  642 in  41 states as of Wednesday.The total number of swine flu cases globally has increased to nearly 1,660.

A study conducted at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA explains that this swine flu is deadly for some and not others due to the ability of the virus to paralyze the immune system of otherwise healthy people, which then leads to a bacterial infection that causes the flu to become more deadly.

John Wherry, PhD, Deputy Editor of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology in which the study was published stated, “Despite major medical advances since the devastating flu outbreaks of 1918 and 1919, influenza virus infection remains a very serious threat, and the current swine flu outbreak is a grim reminder of this fact.”   
Dr. George Rutherford, M.D., Professor and Head of the Division of Preventive Medicine and Public Health at the University of California-San Francisco, USA, and Director of the Institute for Public Health, explained why people are more vulnerable to newer influenza viruses.

Dr. George Rutherford – Head of Division of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of California-San Francisco, USA (M) : The problem with influenza is that it has eight gene fragments, and they can get switched around as it moves through species. And so, as you pick up new strains or switch out pieces of these gene fragments, potential exists for the influenza to change its surface proteins and not be recognized by people’s immune system. It just becomes something new and unrecognizable.

VOICE: Dr. Rutherford also spoke of a growing public awareness and trend toward plant-based foods for optimal health.

Supreme Master TV :Given the fact that there isn’t enough land to raise these animals in such a healthy fashion, do you think it’s incumbent upon healthcare officials to suggest that the government encourage more eating of plant-based meals in order to ensure adequate nutrition and at the same time healthy animal populations?

Dr. Rutherford (m):  Yeah, you know, that’s the real bottom line question.
Dr. Rutherford (m): I think public health has a major voice to add to the discussion. Over the years you’re going to see more protein coming from vegetable, and in people’s diets in the developed world, and a greater number of calories, not just proteins,coming from plant sources.

Our heartfelt sympathies go out to all those who have lost loved ones as we continue to pray for everyone’s safety from this unpredictably devastating virus. We thank Dr. Rutherford, the researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and all scientists for their ongoing efforts o protect human life, and we look forward to stepping together toward solutions that ensure the well-being of the public, such as the life-affirming vegan diet.