Hopes for a successful chikungunya vaccine rose in recent weeks.
The vaccine development company PaxVax Inc. announced that the FDA has marked their preliminary immunization for fast-track status.
Such a vaccine would be the first of its kind. As the CDC shares, there is currently no vaccination to prevent the infection. Considering there is no medicine to treat chikungunya, this is even more of a problem.
Do you have blood type A? Traveler’s diarrhea could be a greater risk for you than people with other types.
A bacteria-produced protein appears to be the source of this issue, according to new research from the Washington University School of Medicine.
The illness goes by many names. In some areas they call it “Montezuma’s Revenge” and other regions refer to it as “Delhi Belly” or “Ghandi’s Revenge.” No matter what you call it, traveler’s diarrhea, affects numerous travelers and can put an extreme damper on a trip.
In the midst of Ebola and measles scares, a new virus is creating problems across the globe.
The Nipah virus, an animal-borne disease, has caused at least 14 deaths in India as of May 30. Largely transmitted via bats, the outbreak has forced action from both the World Health Organization (WHO) and Indian officials.
Measles is spreading throughout multiple Asian countries, causing over 150 reported cases of the illness. During the outbreak more than 3,500 people have been quarantined, with about 1,000 people monitored, according to Outbreak News Today and The Straits Times.
The main locations of the outbreak include Okinawa, Japan, and Taiwan. But, the disease is reaching other highly-populated regions. Numerous cases have also been noted in mainland China, Hong Kong and the rest of Japan.
Okinawa is currently the most affected area with almost 100 recorded patients. Thousands in Taiwan have been quarantined and many others are being watched closely.
Currently, over 1,000 sites are protected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The growing list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites all carry some importance to local communities.
The organization defines cultural and natural heritages as, “irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration.” They deem the sites, ” touchstones, our points of reference, our identity.”
The sites can be natural or man-made. They can have a long history or be an up-and-coming destination. But, how does a location become a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
