Venezuela is currently in the middle of a tremendous malaria crisis with case amounts five times higher than they were in 2013.

Numbers have been growing rapidly over the years. In 2017, the country had approximately 406,000 cases of malaria, which is up almost 70 percent from 2016. That year alone had a rise of approximately 76 percent of cases from 2015.

The spike’s cause cannot be traced to one sole factor, though officials cite falling malaria education and prevention efforts as a primary force.

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The severity of the recent flu season wasn’t lost on officials trying to stop the virus.

“We need to make the universal flu vaccine a higher priority than it has been,” said Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Fauci revealed this when speaking to The Scientist in January.

Why is the influenza virus so difficult to combat, and why do we need to change the vaccination every year?

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With the seasons changing, many people are dealing with their uncomfortable seasonal allergies. Common triggers for seasonal allergies include pollen, mold, dust and plants.

And with those annoying air particles comes the even worse symptoms. Allergies can cause disruptive symptoms such as a sore throat, inflamed sinuses and sneezing, which can ruin a vacation.

The stress of having seasonal allergies can rise when you’re traveling and unsure how they will affect your trip. If you struggle with pollen or other natural allergies that are more prevalent during certain seasons, here are some steps you can take to assure your vacation won’t be overshadowed by them:

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Since late summer 2016, hepatitis A has had an increased presence across the United States.

While San Diego’s hepatitis A outbreak caused headlines in 2017, the disease isn’t just contained to Southern California. So far in 2018, seven states reported cases of the food and water-borne disease. Among those states, Utah, Michigan and Kentucky reported the most cases.

Hepatitis A is a virus that attacks the liver and causes jaundice. Once infected, the disease can cause nausea, vomiting, fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain. It is extremely contagious and usually spread through unsanitary food and water. On rare occasions, hepatitis A can spread by sharing needles with an infected individual.

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Since the wet season began in late 2017, Malawi has seen a severe spike in cholera cases.

The Ministry of Health reported that the disease has caused 30 deaths and almost 900 cases this year throughout the African country.

Malawi’s capital city, Lilongwe, is currently being hit the hardest by the outbreak. Cholera spread to 352 people in Lilongwe and caused 18 deaths, as of April 12.

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