The World Health Organization declared smallpox eradicated in 1979. In the 40 years since that achievement, a smallpox-related debate has remained within the scientific community.

Experts across the globe are still unsure whether live virus samples should be stored or destroyed.

Smallpox, caused by the variola virus, has been stored in frozen test tubes in two laboratories to preserve the surviving strains of the virus. While most were collected during the time of eradication, there are some samples dated to the early 1930s. After the complete eradication the WHO decided that the frozen samples should be destroyed. What the organization did not decide is a date for that destruction.

[Read more…]

In the field of public health, terms like “eradication” and “elimination” are commonplace. Yet to the average reader, the two words may seem identical.

So, what’s the difference in vocabulary? And what do the phrases actually mean?

As you may have guessed, disease elimination and disease eradication both involve getting rid of a disease. But, one term applies at a local level while the other is on a global scale:

[Read more…]

In the 80 years since it was introduced to the public, not much has changed for the yellow fever vaccine. The immunization still serves the same purpose: preventing a dangerous disease.

Many people around the world haven’t been at any risk for the mosquito-borne disease. That’s because yellow fever is still often found in tropical and subtropical climates like Africa and South America, although it’s recently been found in some new areas. The virus spreads through bites from infected mosquitoes, causing symptoms that range from mild to life-threatening.

With no cure or treatment, the vaccine for yellow fever is your only form of medical protection from the virus. The vaccine is a live, weakened form of the virus and is given as a single shot.

[Read more…]

Flu season is upon us and no matter what you do to prevent it, sometimes the virus can creep in.

Yes, even if you get the flu shot, you will have a chance of getting the flu. That’s because every year, the flu shot protects your body against certain strains and sometimes other strains can make you sick.

If you find yourself with a fever, coughing, and feeling fatigued, there are some foods you can incorporate into your diet that may help you feel better. And although eating may be the last thing you want to do, it’s crucial to provide your body the nutrients and energy it needs to get healthy again.

Here are some foods to incorporate into your diet to help kick that illness to the curb:

[Read more…]

Turning 50 is a milestone, and many people celebrate by throwing a big birthday bash! But, as with any birthday, the achievement also comes with new responsibilities.

It’s an unfortunate fact that as you get older, your body becomes more fragile and less resilient than in our younger years. This is why eating healthy and some exercise can be even more important as we age.

Even if you live an active lifestyle, many doctors suggest you get vaccinated against several diseases. Some of these include the shingles vaccine, as well as the Tdap vaccine, and the pneumococcal vaccine.

[Read more…]

The Philippines just declared their first polio outbreak after almost two decades of eradication.

While there are currently only two cases in the country, the event has sparked a widespread vaccination campaign in the region. Officials hope the move will prevent infections of the highly contagious and deadly virus.

The outbreak has also highlighted the need for high vaccination rates. Even areas where a particular illness has been eliminated can see a return if those rates fall.

[Read more…]

The United States could soon lose its measles-free status from the World Health Organization.

Through high vaccination rates, the U.S. has remained officially measles-free for 20 years. But, after increased vaccine hesitancy and measles outbreaks around the country, the news may not come as a surprise.

In fact, this news may seem like just another page in the American measles outbreak story. These measles outbreaks have already caused over 1,000 cases of measles in more than half the states this year. But, the loss of this status is a much more troubling sign for the future of measles in the country.

[Read more…]

In early September 2019, Kenya became the third country to administer the only licensed malaria vaccine. The first recipients of this vaccine were at-risk children in rural areas.

Malaria is a deadly mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite that kills around 435,000 people each year, with around 92% of those deaths occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. Most of malaria’s victims are children under five. It kills one child every two minutes.

Even with improved treatments around the world, we still seem no closer to eradicating malaria. But, a widely-used vaccine could be the first step in saving another 435,000 lives from the disease.

[Read more…]

Increases of measles and hepatitis A have already made their way across the United States. While many mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and Zika aren’t a problem in the U.S., it appears there’s a different illness spreading.

Cities in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Michigan, Massachusetts and Florida, have reported cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), a sometimes-deadly mosquito-borne virus.

Five people across three states have already died from this virus in the U.S. this year. As a result, many states have warned locals to make precautions against the disease.

[Read more…]

Due to the CDC’s recent health alert for hepatitis A outbreaks, many people are wondering what makes the main types of hepatitis, A, B and C different.

Is one type more serious than another? Do they all present with the same symptoms? Can you catch each of them the same way? Are there any other notable factors which distinguish them?

Let’s find out.

[Read more…]