In an extremely rare event, four people have been diagnosed with cholera in an outbreak in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Four cholera patients might sound like a small amount anywhere else in the world, but for Canada, where the disease has been virtually eradicated for decades, it’s a big deal. The country gets only about two cases per year on average, so the outbreak has already doubled expected numbers.

Officials believe that herring eggs are the cause of this outbreak. The eggs were harvested on the east coast of Vancouver Island, namely in the French Creek to Qualicum Bay area, according to Dr. Shannon Waters. Herring roe is not considered a problem by the First Nations Health Authority.

[Read more…]

Sounding like something out of a horror movie, a smallpox demon is actually far more scientific.

Or a mix of science and centuries-old Japanese history.

Although eradicated in 1980, smallpox created fear for centuries across the globe. The infectious disease caused a fever, vomiting, sores and skin rash. It even led to bumps that would scab and leave scars all over the body.

The smallpox demon comes from Japanese culture and believed to be the source of all smallpox epidemics in Japan. In medieval times, people would try to appease or attack the demon since there was no other source of reliable, effective treatment.

[Read more…]

Nigeria is currently facing the worst outbreak of Lassa fever ever recorded.

The outbreak reportedly began in January and is still raging on. The disease has spread to at least 19 states since the epidemic began.

As of March 25, 134 people have died from Lassa fever; that number is only expected to increase. There are 394 confirmed infections and a suspected 1,219 more are infected. There have also been over 4,000 contacts identified- officials are currently waiting to see if those exposed will contract the disease.

[Read more…]

Stomach flu, traveler’s diarrhea, winter vomiting bug. Norovirus goes by many names, but travelers across the globe know the dangers of the infection.

The extremely contagious stomach virus is transmitted from person to person via direct contact. This can happen justy by shaking hands with someone who’s sick, eating contaminated foods, and touching infected surfaces.

The virus spreads most often when a lot of people share close quarters.

[Read more…]

If you’ve ever flown in an airplane while sick, you already know that conditions can quickly get worse. The enclosed environment only exacerbates those painful symptoms.

But, sometimes that flight is unavoidable. Business, or even a much-needed vacation, take priority and maybe you can’t get out of the flight.

Sometimes you have to go with the flow and board the plane.

[Read more…]