Understanding “Elimination” vs “Eradication” of Infectious Diseases in The Wake of The Measles Outbreak

CDC: States That Have Reported Measles Cases in 2019

Latest Measles Data   From January 1, 2019, through May 10, 2019, measles cases are now up to 839 and present in 23 states, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last week. The outbreaks in the US have been cited as “numerous” and “unrelated” to each other. The multi-state element is… Continue reading Understanding “Elimination” vs “Eradication” of Infectious Diseases in The Wake of The Measles Outbreak

2018 in Review: The Major Health Stories of the Year

Photo courtesy of Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images. 2018.

From the reemergence of vaccine-preventable diseases to Acute Flaccid Myelitis, we’re bringing you a roundup of the major global health stories of 2018. Reemergence of Measles Measles is a highly contagious, viral illness. During the 1950s, in stark contrast to the present day, almost every American was affected by the measles, with nearly all children suffering a bout… Continue reading 2018 in Review: The Major Health Stories of the Year

The Reappearance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases

Human beings have benefited from vaccinations for over two centuries. The introduction of medicine as a pathway to prevent diseases came in 1796 when Edward Jenner, a country doctor from England, discovered that milkmaids who had been infected with cowpox (the first vaccine) did not show symptoms of smallpox. Fast forward to the late 1800’s through the… Continue reading The Reappearance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases