As we learn more about how illnesses spread, we consider new methods of transmission that hadn’t been previously investigated. One major idea that 2018 has presented is: can a virus spread via the rain?

As shown in new findings, they can and they do.

There’s nothing radical about viruses existing in water. Many common illnesses, like cholera and typhoid, can spread via the liquid. But, exploring the thought of rain carrying disease is relatively novel. Scientists had not been able to quantify what was “hiding out” in the atmosphere before.

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Spring rains have brought disastrous flooding to the countries of Kenya and Somalia.

Rivers have overflowed their banks, and many small towns and villages have been wiped out. The flooding has also destroyed farmer’s crops, leaving the farmers and their families with nothing to come back to.

Even before the severe floods, local farmers dealt with difficult living conditions. Now, in the face of a natural disaster, the farmers cannot afford to simply “rebuild” those crops. Unfortunately, over 475,000 people are in makeshift shelters in refugee camps, and more than 100 have died as a result.

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Buruli ulcers have been reported across the globe in over 30 countries.

What do these dozens of countries have in common? They’re all home to tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates. Of those many countries, most of the reported cases occur in sub-Saharan Africa. But, it’s not Africa that has a long history with Buruli ulcers. From scientists to the local government, Australia has been dealing with this disease for years.

According to the WHO, the disease belongs to the same family of bacteria that causes tuberculosis and leprosy. The bacteria typically affects a person’s legs or arms. Caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, cases of Buruli ulcers are reaching an epidemic level in Australia right now.

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The recent E. coli outbreak, which recently spread across the United States, has brought up a lot of questions, both about this specific incident and others like it.

How many people are affected?

As of May 2, 2018, over 100 people are reported sick with the current total standing at 121. There has been one death and 52 hospitalizations so far.

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It’s pretty likely that you know a person with a peanut allergy.

About .5 to 1 percent of people are allergic to the food, making it one of the most common food allergies. To make things worse, those numbers appear to be growing. The number of individuals who are allergic to peanuts is increasing, especially in recent years. While it’s unfortunate that these people miss out on a beloved food, the allergy can be quite dangerous too. Peanuts and related products create one of the most severe reactions for food allergies.

Thankfully, research for a peanut allergy vaccine is underway.

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