They may be deadly in some cases, but vaccines have changed the way we handle many mosquito-borne diseases. Immunizations for yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis have helped much of the world avoid those diseases.

But, we’re still unable to fight many similar illnesses.

Scientists still search for vaccines to prevent West Nile and Zika virus. Many have even resorted to giving mosquitoes diet pills to reduce those diseases. The Chikungunya virus is in six of the seven continents and Dengue fever infects more than 390 million individuals every year. And let’s not forget Malaria, which affects over 214 million people annually.

These illnesses are deadly, and millions of people can lose their lives due to the effects.

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For many people, the idea of travel is enticing except for one important part: airplanes. Like traveling alone, fears of air travel can keep a person from boarding a plane and with little or no options to visit a new destination.

In 2017 a record 4 billion people worldwide used air travel to reach a new destination. Even in the United States, over 2.5 million people travel every single day.

Out of the people who fly in the U.S. alone, between 2.5 and 6.5%, about 10-20 million people, are afraid of flying.

What makes people scared of flying? Further, how can they overcome this phobia to get through a flight?

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Around the world every year, there are an estimated 2.9 million reported cases of cholera.

That staggering statistic happens despite constant work to reduce cholera cases. Officials continue to try and improve drinking water and sanitation in developing countries. But, the disease still causes over 100,000 deaths every year, according to Eureka Alert.

As another step in the fight against cholera, the WHO created a Global Task Force for Cholera Control. The organization then set a goal to eliminate cholera as a public health threat by 2030.

One crucial part of this plan is better information on active cholera cases. We need to be able to keep track of cases as accurately as possible.

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Today, epidemiology is a valuable field of study which plays a role in eradicating diseases. It helps us prevent outbreaks, craft preventative measures and treat illnesses.

But, it wasn’t so long ago that the world didn’t have this practice and suffered much more drastic consequences from each case of sickness.

Stories of the most rudimentary vaccines stretch back a few hundred years, but epidemiology is a bit younger.

Described by Merriam Webster as, “medical science that deals with the incidence, distribution, and control of disease in a population,” epidemiology’s origins are largely credited to legendary Victorian doctor John Snow. His claim to fame in discovering that cholera is spread by a parasite through contaminated water or food. Snow’s work even earned the nickname “the father of epidemiology.”

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Once a bacteria reaches the brain, it can quickly spell trouble. Without any time for treatment, the illness can cause permanent and life-threatening damage to a person.

That’s why a severe disease like meningitis can cause panic when an outbreak occurs. Meningitis is both highly contagious and can cause swelling of the membranes, or meninges, that surround your brain. There are many causes for this kind of inflammation including bacterial infections, as well as parasitic, fungal, and viral infections.

But, Bacterial Meningitis is the most common.

This version of the disease starts when the bacteria gets into a person’s bloodstream. From there the bacteria can reach the spinal cord and brain that makes up the central nervous system. But, according to the Mayo Clinic, “it can also occur when bacteria directly invade the meninges.”

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Plans for a roadway tunnel close to Stonehenge are putting the ancient site in danger and locals have something to say.

Though Stonehenge is one of the most memorable symbols of England, its reputation may not be enough to assuage frustration over traffic problems plaguing the area.

Plans for the tunnel started in 1989, but was shelved for almost 30 years. The proposed tunnel would alleviate much of the congestion of the A303 highway. By narrowing from two landes to one, the highway adds an hour of travel time for those going between London and the South West of England.

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Back in 2000, the CDC declared that measles was eliminated in the United States. Since that time, the disease has made a dangerous comeback across the country.

A new report from the organization revealed that air travel may be the source for many of these cases.

In 2018, 82 people brought the disease into the U.S. after traveling to a foreign country, making up a large portion of the almost 350 cases. The situation gets worse this year, as every cases of the measles can be linked to infected travelers via airplane. That spread adds up to over 200 cases reported in 12 states. Some of these countries include the Philippines, Indonesia, India, and many European countries, including Great Britain, Italy, and France.

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Have you considered traveling alone this year?

If you don’t have a travel partner, there’s no need to worry. As it turns out, there are plenty of places to travel solo and still have a great time. If you haven’t travelled alone, you might find that it’s a quiet alternative to signing up for a tour with large groups of people, you don’t know too well.

As solo getaways gain popularity, more destinations are accommodating travelers who are alone. That leaves tons of options across the globe for you to explore on your own. You’re only limited by the amount of time and money you want to spend on the vacation.

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In August 2018, the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) declared a new outbreak of Ebola virus. The epidemic started in North Kivu Province, eventually spreading to other parts of the country.

As of March 2019, the outbreak has reached almost 1,000 cases.

Some attempted vaccination campaigns have helped, but local dangers have hurt those efforts. The affected areas of the DRC have an ongoing military conflict. Violent acts are hindering the existing treatment and prevention efforts in place by the WHO and CDC.

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What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you decide to plan a vacation? You ponder where you want to go, right?

Ok, so, now that you’ve decided what your destination is, you expect to see all the famous sites, at least as many as possible, during the time you’re there.

These busy plans already contradict the idea of slow travel.

In fact, it’s the exact opposite of slow travel because you are not able to relax enough and make meaningful memories. Yes, you’ll have memories, but you won’t have a relaxed holiday. All you’ll remember is how busy you were, which left you feeling exhausted, and that you took in some landmarks. Maybe you’ll reminisce about some of the food that you ate as well, but all in all, your trip will not be a time of true “rest and relaxation.”

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