The Zika virus and its terrifying legacy continue to build.

The epidemic can travel via mosquitoes, sexual contact and apparently even physical touch.

The one reprieve from Zika was on the horizon, with winter spelling doom for many mosquitoes.

The cold weather makes the insects either die off or hibernate until the spring. If the history of diseases like dengue fever and malaria taught us anything, cases of mosquito-borne diseases also plummet during this stretch.

But, even winter may not be able to stop Zika, as the virus is showing signs of surviving the cold weather.

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Unless you are superhuman or one of the X-Men mutants, you’ve been to the doctor with flu or cold-like symptoms.

“There’s a lot of that going around this season,” your doctor probably said at one point, sticking to the usual doctor’s script.

An antibiotic may not work, and there was no magic pill to make it go away. So your doctor sent you home with a few medications and instructions to drink lots of fluid and stay in bed.

Cold viruses are common, especially this time of year. Though hard to treat, they are generally easy to understand. Up until recently, viruses infected in much the same way. Even most of the less common and potentially more dangerous viruses work similarly.

But, recent findings show that viruses are evolving, which could make them much more difficult to treat.

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Want to trek halfway across the world to roam through foreign hostels?

How about climb a mountain days after seeing a cheetah in the wild?

Well, it’s likely too late in the year to make that trip. It seems like many other Canadians did though. Growing economies and adventure paradises topped the list of most visited places this year.

But it’s never too early to start planning for next year’s unforgettable trip. Here’s some of the most popular foreign places that Canadians visited in 2016:

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It seems we have smallpox to thank for freedom of the press and some other innovations.

In 1721, a smallpox epidemic swept through the streets of Boston – the worst in the city’s history. Fatality rates rose to as high as 30 percent or worse. Native American populations were hit even harder, with rates up to 90 percent. How could anything good come from such a devastating disease?

In his book, “The Fever of 1721,” Stephen Coss claims that the Boston smallpox epidemic actually played a major role in stopping the spread of the disease, starting America’s first independent newspaper, and preparing the way for the American Revolution.

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The Zika virus is active in over 60 countries around the world.

Many of the disease’s dangerous effects on pregnant women are well known.

The mosquito-borne disease spreads from a pregnant mother to her fetus. While Zika virus can cause many severe brain defects, the most common is microcephaly.

Microcephaly causes a stunted growth for the baby’s brain and in turn, a much smaller head. Although microcephaly does not guarantee birth defects, it can be the source of an intellectual disability, seizures and loss of hearing or vision.

There is still much to learn about Zika’s consequences for newborns. But, we’ve barely scratched the surface when it comes to the effect on toddlers.

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Flu season is upon us and you only have to find a time and place to get your vaccine.

But, those are no longer the only things to consider with your annual flu shot.

Over the last five years there has been a flurry of new vaccines, giving you choices on how you want to fight influenza.

You can go with a run of the mill vaccine, but will that cover all of this year’s flu strains? The new flu shot covers all the strains, but what if you really hate needles? What if you want to avoid the egg protein that’s used to make the vaccine?

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Considered a landmark moment for mankind, the discovery of fire was the first step out of a primitive world. It lit the world, cooked our food and kept us warm at night.

It’s not all praise for fire though, as it may have also given the world tuberculosis.

Or at least born out of smoke, according to a recent study at the University of New South Wales.

The bacteria’s history traces back for millennia. Mummies from over 4,000 years ago showing signs of the infection in their chests. Tuberculosis spreads from person to person through the air. The mycobacterium that makes up the disease is inhaled and the infection infiltrates the lungs.

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Considered the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti is home to around 11 million people.

In January 2010, when the country was hit by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake, the effect was severe. The disaster left 220,000 dead and 3.5 million affected, with years of expected repair.

A cholera epidemic began later in 2010, partially due to the U.N.’s negligence during earthquake relief. This outbreak of the disease is still going strong today. It may even be resurgent with other natural disasters hitting the country.

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November is here and arriving with it are some freezing days and colder nights.

But, just because the temperature is dropping, doesn’t mean you have to resign yourself to wearing layers and shoveling snow. The winter months are great for an international getaway.

The Caribbean and Central America are abundant with stunning, warm weather places to visit during the cold season.

So, rather than resigning to life in freezing temperatures, here’s a few places to escape where the weather is far friendlier:

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All the countries to choose from in the world, and Canada still comes out on top.

The travel guide Lonely Planet released its list of Top Countries to Visit in 2017 and the Great White North took the top spot.

Lonely Planet credits Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, “dynamic cities that dominate global livability” and underrated wine for reasons to visit Canada. The country’s upcoming 150 year birthday puts the cherry on top for Canada to reign supreme.

But, just because Canada is such a welcoming country, doesn’t mean you should avoid the rest of the world.

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