The focus of this article will be one of the most dangerous of all modern pandemics... This pandemic is not limited to the rural highways and byways of ill-fated Sierra Leone nor is it without a victim in the most posh penthouse palaces of Manhattan. In fact... you may even be infected! Don't worry, here's a quick test to determine your status.

Please consider the following scenario... (there really is a point to this by the way)

Let's say you were watching your favorite TV show when the local news agency interrupted the broadcast and alerted viewers that Ebola was now a reality in the US: that New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and [your local city] were experiencing massive amounts of casualties. You watched in horror as emergency rooms were overrun and the infection spread like a raging fire! Next you saw that the President had declared a state-of-emergency, declared martial law to be in effect and seized control of all "needed" services and facilities by means of a executive order passed in 2012 (1), doctors and nurses now had to follow federal treatment guidelines or face misdemeanor charges and loss of licensure, according to the guidelines from the Model State Emergency Health Powers Act (2). Families who refused the experimental vaccine "fast-tracked" by the FDA were reminded that, according to the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of 1974, they would lose custody of their children and face felony charges if they did not comply... Chaos ensues...

Glad this isn't the current reality right? I am too...

Okay... now back to our test. Here are the results: If you right now are in utter disbelief and amazement at how I could even imagine such a scenario you, very well, my friend, may be infected... with something called "normalcy bias." Wikipedia states that this "refers to a mental state people enter when facing a disaster. It causes people to underestimate both the possibility of a disaster occurring and its possible effects. This may result in situations where people fail to adequately prepare for a disaster, and on a larger scale, the failure of governments to include the populace in its disaster preparations. The assumption that is made in the case of the normalcy bias is that since a disaster never has occurred then it never will occur. It can result in the inability of people to cope with a disaster once it occurs. People with a normalcy bias have difficulties reacting to something they have not experienced before. People also tend to interpret warnings in the most optimistic way possible, seizing on any ambiguities to infer a less serious situation."

On the contrary, if you are trembling with fear and about to go outside to build your underground bunker you are also infected: with "worst case scenario bias." This, of course, is a form of severe overreaction. If you are actually thinking: okay this is possible... what can I do to truly "prepare" you are deemed "normal" and pass the test :)

How did you fare? Are you "normal?" Do you want to be? Then what are you doing to prepare? Get ready! Get ready! Get ready (yes, this is important)!

1)http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/03/16/executive-order-national-defense-resources-preparedness
2)http://www.publichealthlaw.net/MSEHPA/MSEHPA2.pdf
3)https://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/federal/index.cfm?event=federalLegislation.viewLegis&id=2

According to the World Health Organization, the Zaire Ebolavirus is spread via contact with infected bodily fluids (1). The official word is that this virus cannot be transmitted via aerosol, meaning that it cannot travel through the air and cause infection. However, six monkeys at the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, in Frederick Maryland, beg to differ. Why? It has to do with a study specifically designed to determine whether or not Ebola could be transmitted via aerosolized droplets and actually cause an infection. The researchers theorized that this was indeed possible: citing incidents where infection occurred in the laboratory setting where no other transmission route seemed plausible (2).

The study population consisted of six Rhesus monkeys, two were “lucky” and four were not: reason being that two monkeys were not exposed to the virus at all. However the four chosen monkeys were inoculated with varying doses of airborne Ebolavirus. Those that received a relatively low dose of the virus had exactly the same outcome as those that received the higher dose: a speedy and torturous death (within 4-5 days of exposure). These research scientists were puzzled at why Ebola spread so effectively in the laboratory airborne environment but didn’t seem to have the same effect in the hot and humid native environment. However, what they finally concluded may shock you! Here are there findings:

“We also demonstrated aerosol transmission of Ebola virus at lower temperature and humidity than that normally present in sub-Saharan Africa. Ebola virus sensitivity to the high temperatures and humidity in the thatched, mud, and wattel huts shared by infected family members in southern Sudan and northern Zaire may have been a factor limiting aerosol transmission of Ebola virus in the African epidemics. Both elevated temperature and relative humidity (RH) have been shown to reduce the aerosol stability of viruses (Songer 1967)… If the same holds true for filoviruses, aerosol transmission is a greater threat in modern hospital or laboratory settings than it is in the natural climatic ranges of viruses.”

Thus, as the rainy season draws to a close in Sub-Saharan Africa, this November, and humidity levels drop we could see a tremendous increase in Ebola transmission. Why? Because the virus can, and does, travel via the airborne route, just not so well in hot and humid places. Can you name a few more environments, besides hospitals and laboratories, as the researchers mentioned, that are cooler and less humid? The answer to this question should prompt us to instant sobriety… This would be just about anywhere humans congregate in westernized countries: climate controlled building (including grocery stores, shopping malls, movie theaters, etc.), modern methods of transit (jetliners, automobiles, buses, etc.), and many other places besides! What does this all mean? Take home message is that, especially come this winter, the Ebola pandemic may be much more than we are bargaining for… The politicians and public health officials may be telling half of the story... But dead monkeys don’t lie.

The time to prepare is now. Get the facts. Get healthy. Get Prebola©!

(1) http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs103/en/
(2) Int. J. Exp. Path. (1995), 76, 227-236

"For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it." -Patrick Henry, March, 23 1775

In fact, I was recently asked why I believe Ebola is a global threat when many researchers are predicting low probabilities (3-15% for example) of Ebola spreading to the US (1). To set the record straight, I do not believe that the current outbreak of Ebola will, without a doubt, become a worldwide pandemic. But, what I do believe is that this scenario is a definite possibility. Here are some of the reasons why... When an infectious agent becomes so virulent and deadly as this current strain of Ebola even the "experts" do not know, with all certainty, what is going to happen.

Consider these facts: 1) Ebola is infecting people (person-to-person) exponentially, possibly even via aerosol (through the air) (2), the CDC estimates 1.4 million deaths by January (3); 2) the current strain of Ebola is also being spread by bats and other migratory mammals (4); 3) symptoms from Ebola infection can take as long as three weeks to emerge (ibid); 4) we still have massive global transit occurring; 5) still no proven treatment or vaccine even though Ebola variants have been around since 1976 (ibid); 6) worldwide focus of healthcare is not on prevention and wellness - generating poor health and weak immune systems; and 7) the promise, in Matthew 24, of pestilences in the last days combined with the cry of "peace and safety" before "sudden destruction" (1 Thessalonians 5:3) that characterize the public proclamations in the Biblical "end times."

While I am glad that many "experts" are optimistic about the curtailment of this pandemic, the facts prompt me to preparedness. My conclusion? Time may tell if Ebola will retreat... But, as for me, I intend to know the worst, and to provide for it... Onward Prebola!

(1) http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2014/09/19/ebola-in-the-u-s-dont-bet-on-it/
(2) http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2014/09/commentary-health-workers-need-optimal-respiratory-protection-ebola
(3) http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/9/23/cdc-ebola-1-4-million.html
(4) http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs103/en/

Because of these issues, and more, many are turning to tried and true herbal remedies. For instance, Cat's Claw, because of its antiviral and immunomodulating action, has shown remarkable ability to fight another dangerous type of hemorrhagic illness (dengue fever). Cayenne and yarrow have been used for centuries to control excessive bleeding: which is the most frequent cause of death in Ebola victims. And, scientific studies on stinging nettle have revealed the herb's seemingly inherent ability to reduce tumor necrosis factor (TNF): one of the reasons for the hemorrhagic effects resulting from Ebola infection.

All this knowledge is important... But what if these herbs are unavailable? If trends continue, the Ebola virus will soon be knocking at our door and our meager supply of commercially available herbs will be quickly depleted. The time to order some of these items may be sooner rather than later... But even more importantly, learn about the beneficial aspects of local herbs: you would be surprised at what you may find in your own backyard. It may be a good time to invest in a pocket herb field guide (and a pocket Bible as well)!

Recently president Obama stated the risk of Ebola here in the US is "extremely low..." Ironic considering Ebola can be spread by contact with bodily fluids (even nasal secretions) and the current exponential growth of the virus in Africa... Troubling indeed because not even a presidential executive order will stop most sneezes, "nose pickings," and other routes of virus transmission... Wouldn't it make more sense, in preparation for such a pandemic, to become a more health conscious nation?

Ever heard of the "hundred year's flu?" Statistically speaking, approximately every hundred years the influenza virus mutates into an extremely deadly form. Experts predict that, at any time now, an upcoming strain of Avian-type influenza (aka "bird flu") will kill up to 360 million people worldwide. Unfortunately, most Americans are basically preparing their bodies as a suitable abode for the new virus. The key factor: temperature...

It turns out that the Influenza Virus is host-specific, meaning that it is well suited to live and reproduce in a particular animal's bodily environment. Birds are vastly different from humans (wings, feathers, etc) but one of the most pertinent differences, in terms of influenza, is the internal body temperature. A bird’s average temperature ranges from 105-106. The avian or "bird" influenza virus is thus used to thriving in a hot environment. Normal human influenza is effectively shut down by temperatures over 95 degrees F. This is why mild fevers are helpful in eliminating the virus. However, avian type influenza welcomes the heat (increases ability of the virus to replicate).

The bottom line is this: the western lifestyle induces a feverish state thus making the human body a more apt host for mutated bird influenza. Take home prevention: stay cool (with a normal temperature trend). Here are some helpful guidelines....

1) If overweight - lose weight (extra body fat = extra insulation).
2) Stop caffeine - increases body's heat production (thermogenesis).
3) Eat less than 3 meals per day (eating too frequently and too large of quantity increases thermogenic response).
4) Get off the high protein diet! Studies have shown this kind of diet to increase thermogenic, or internal heat producing, response by approx 100%.
5) Stay hydrated with earth's most prolific liquid - water (dehydration can cause overheating - think of your car's radiator).
6) Try a vegan plant based diet (shuts down feverish response, arthritic pains, lung and bronchial inflammation, etc).
7) Think positive! - Joyous, benevolent thoughts slow the body's heat production response (reversing sympathetic nervous system activation).