Contagious Disease

Setbacks caused by COVID-19 have slowed progress in prevention and treatment of tuberculosis in several countries. For example, tuberculosis case notifications have dropped 25-30% in India, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The UN Secretary General has issued 10 priority actions to close the gap in…

Many potential Covid-19 vaccines utilize oil from sharks called squalene. It is taken from shark livers and typically used as a moisturizing ingredient in cosmetics and as an immune system booster in flu and malaria vaccines. Conservationists warn that if the coronavirus vaccine with squalene is…

After quickly revoking publishing advice on airborne COVID transmission on September 21st, the CDC has put forth a revision on Monday to acknowledge that airborne transmission is possible. Aerosols (less than 5 microns) are smaller than respiratory droplets, and can “linger in the air for minutes…

Viral pandemics are closely connect human health to that of wildlife and the environment. With the increasing frequency at which these interactions are being made, researchers are hoping to reduce the pandemic potential by studying the viruses present in animals. Given the overall molecular…

While both healthcare workers and families have taken steps to disinfect items potentially contaminated with the coronavirus, some experts disagree on the best way to get rid of these germs. It has been debated whether this is any benefit for using these disinfectants, when most transmission of the…

In March, the neighborhoods in New York City that had the most confirmed cases for coronavirus were areas with the lowest median incomes, including cases in the South Bronx and Western Queens. Since then, the disease has spread throughout the city making New York the city with the greatest number…

Interestingly, the Federal Emergency Management Agency had published a warning of a nationwide pandemic that would result in a shortage of hospital supplies and an economic shutdown. The warning was part of a compilation of nine scenarios created by FEMA that aimed to challenge the Nation’s…

While COVID-19 has just reached the Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC), another viral outbreak has already killed over 6,500 children: measles. Beginning in October 2018, cases began to spike and an epidemiologist from the WHO reports that the situation has “mushroomed.” She remarks that it may be…

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economy Security (CARES) Act that pass in the House of Representatives on March 27 outlines the $2 trillion stimulus bill that provides payments up to $1,200 for those who make less than a certain limit. Yet, many Americans will not make the cut due to a variety of…

Recently, National Nurses United are leading protests across states including New York, Georgia, Illinois, and some California cities for the lack of preparedness by HCA Healthcare, a major hospital branch in the US. Their protests stem from the lack of protection equipment they are given to…

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is committed to supporting Janssen Pharmaceuticals in expediting the development process and clinical trials of a COVID-19 vaccine. It is estimated that HHS and the pharmaceutical company will contribute $1 billion toward its vaccine efforts. For…

KTLA5: As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases sees rapid growth in the state of California and across the United States, we should expect to see the "peak" in about one month. At the peak, the state of California would require over 10,000 extra beds than what is currently available to…

Thus far, COVID-19 has seen over 111,000 confirmed cases and over 3,800 deaths internationally. In times of panic and pandemic, it is essential that we support our public health officials. However, our current systems focus less on investment in preparedness and more on acting at the time of…

The coronavirus poses a threat to college campuses across the United States, prompting many schools to quickly formulate preparedness plans and inform students of changes to campus life including alternative online class options. Schools are also imposing travel restrictions, preventing university…