disease

India is currently being hit with its biggest outbreak of Zika virus, with the first case confirmed September 23rd and 31 other cases following in Jaipur. The actual number of cases cannot be estimated, but samples are collected daily where 100 to 150 teams are also being deployed to identify cases…

NBC News: A polio-like illness called acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) has been reported in 85 cases across the U.S. It is viral and causes muscle weakness and in some cases paralysis. Patients with symptoms need immediate care. Read more here about why this virus is puzzling doctors.

Over 2 million U.S. cases of sexually transmitted diseases were diagnosed last year, which is the highest number reported nationwide. Syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia rates specifically have been climbing for four consecutive years. A major threat to treatment of gonorrhea and other infectious…

A basketball hoop stands at the edge of a trailer home's yard in Hidalgo County, Texas, in January. Around half a million Texans live in colonias – largely impoverished neighborhoods that fall outside of city limits and can lack basic public services. Image Credit: (MELANIE STETSON…

Express: There’s been a new Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. So far the outbreak has killed 23 people. The World Health Organization is currently sending experimental vaccines to the affected area. The main concern is that the outbreak could spread to the more densely populated…

The New York Times: Donald G. McNeil Jr.- A recent study found that using mosquito nets utilizing two pesticides, pyrethroids and piperonyl butoxide, protect children up to 44% better than normal malaria nets. Pyrethroids have previously been used in malarial nets, but developed resistance has…

As Donald G McNeil Jr. Reports in the New York Times, preliminary research shows promising results for infant antibiotic administration in Africa. Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, a recent study has demonstrated a significant reduction in mortality rates for infants in three African…