Many diseases in the world are considered ancient history. Feared centuries ago, many assume that these illnesses are long gone. Unfortunately, that’s not the case for all ancient diseases.
Take leprosy.
The contagious disease is often associated with biblical times. In the modern age, leprosy probably isn’t even on your radar when it comes to realistic health risks.
The devastating aftermath of a hurricane is impossible to miss.
Building and homes are leveled while streets fill with floodwater. Affected regions can deal with power outages, dangerous animals and a lack of clean water.
But, there is another dangerous risk that’s often forgotten, posing a risk for years after the storm.
Along with the flooding and destruction, hurricanes can bring new bacteria. Collecting and spreading with the storm, the risk of disease rises in the aftermath.
Although only a few countries make up Central America, the food is as interesting and diverse as the area’s history. Due to it’s location, Central America has been influenced by different cultures which makes its cuisine unlike any other in the world.
El Salvador’s traditional breakfast dish makes us of a Central American favorite: plantains.
Natural disasters do far more than immediate damage. The effects of these disasters can be long lasting and creates a need for volunteers to help with the recovery.
Earthquakes, hurricanes, wildfires, the list is long when it comes to disasters requiring volunteer response. For foreign volunteers and locals effected by the disaster, disease is just one more risk that comes from the event. In every area of the world, a natural disaster increases the chances of disease.
The World Health Organization started a campaign in 2013 to monitor vaccines and diseases during natural disasters. Along with the Center for Disease Control, the WHO hopes this plan will be implemented as a part of aid efforts in response to disasters.
France now poses a risk for chikungunya.
The World Health Organization confirmed four cases of the mosquito-borne disease in south eastern France on Friday. Including the nine other possible cases, the WHO fears at least 13 people are infected with chikungunya.
While four confirmed cases may seem small, mosquito-borne diseases are not native to the region. This continues a trend of mosquito-borne disease that are becoming more frequent throughout parts of Europe.
The polio epidemic in the U.S. was far-reaching with widespread consequences. Touching the lives of all citizens, the disease even reached the highest levels of the government. The most notable of these was the 32nd American president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
The polio epidemic began in the U.S. around 1916. The initial outbreak in New York led to 27,000 cases and 6,000 deaths by the end of that year.
With no vaccine, polio continued to affect communities across the U.S. for the next several decades. While many who contracted polio did not show symptoms, cases often ended tragically. This could be as small as muscle aches or a fever, but sometimes meant paralysis or death.
The world is constantly struggling to get ready for the next epidemic.
Currently there are different methods in place to track outbreaks. This allows the world to pinpoint where outbreaks happen and where they might strike next. But, we still doesn’t have tools in place to handle an epidemic once it starts.
It’s no coincidence that there are multiple devastating outbreaks every year. According to Time, annual disease epidemics have tripled since 1980. The number of new diseases have also seen a significant spike over that time and deadly viruses are on the rise across the globe. From MERS in the Middle East to Ebola in West Africa, travel warnings are all we have to stop future outbreaks.
Sri Lanka is currently facing its worst dengue outbreak in the country’s history, with over 100,000 confirmed cases.
This outbreak has occurred less than a year after Sri Lanka defeated another mosquito-borne disease. In 2016, the World Health Organization officially certified that Sri Lanka had eradicated malaria.
Sri Lanka’s success is credited to a variety of steps from the government and people. The country eliminated the mosquitoes carrying dengue while increasing surveillance of the parasite and use of mobile clinics.
Many people are forced to travel for business. They have to spend days or weeks on end in different parts of the world and only make plans to work.
But, why just leave it at that?
The newest trend in the travel world is largely being taken up by millennials who want to do more than conduct business when on the road for work. Instead, people have been taking advantages of business trips to explore new places, sometimes extending their stays for a long weekend. It’s a win-win: individuals get to see new places, without using a weeks-worth of vacation days or emptying their bank account.
Despite being a much older disease, cholera doesn’t get the same press as Zika or Ebola.
And yet, cholera outbreaks are currently far more of a problem around the world. From Haiti to Yemen to Kenya, the world is in the midst of an increase in cholera.
The intestinal infection spreads via tainted water and food. While it doesn’t always produce symptoms, cholera can cause severe diarrhea, vomiting and leg cramps. Without treatment, cholera can become severe and victims are at risk of dying within hours. According to the Center for Disease Control, ten percent of cholera cases can become severe and deadly.
