Only a few weeks into the new year, the world already has a new viral outbreak scare.

A coronavirus, which started with almost 60 cases in Wuhan, China, was recently confirmed by officials in Washington. The virus has also been found in other countries like Japan and South Korea.

While officials in China confirmed the virus isn’t SARS, they do know it’s a coronavirus. A coronavirus can be mild, like the common cold, but this mysterious strain has already caused six deaths in China.

But, as the illness appears in the United States, many are probably asking what is a coronavirus? Could it cause an outbreak in the US? Should I be worried about catching this virus?

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In 2018 alone, there were an estimated 228 million cases of malaria, with 405,000 of those resulting in death.

At the moment there is no malaria vaccine that’s approved worldwide, although there’s been some progress in countries like Kenya. Without a vaccine to rely on, we are left with other prevention methods. Travelers must use antimalarials, insect repellent and insecticide-treated bed nets to keep the mosquitoes away.

In recent years, those bed nets have become an increasingly-popular prevention method worldwide. When combined with insecticides, they greatly reduce contact between infected mosquitoes and people.

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Right in the heart of the flu season, many people may still be wondering if they should get the 2019-2020 flu shot.

But, before this season even ends, researchers are looking to improve the vaccine in the coming years. A new study, conducted by Georgia State has promising new outcomes in preventing six trains of the flu in mice.

This new vaccine is a combination vaccine, using nanoparticles, and two different influenza proteins. The success of this vaccine in preventing strains in mice could lead us closer to developing a universal flu vaccine in the future.

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The world achieved a milestone in 2019 in the fight against polio.

With the world’s most effective polio vaccine used worldwide, hopes for eradication increased. Nigeria, once riddled by the disease, is now on the brink of eliminating polio.

And yet, even with all the optimistic news, outbreaks are still occurring throughout the world. Most recently, there has been a resurgence of polio cases in Pakistan.

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In endangered and protected wildlife areas, tourists are commonly told to take only photos and leave only footprints. But, for the gorilla populations, deadly diseases are being left behind by tourists wanting to get a great picture.

While most viruses are spread from one infected person to another, parasites can jump from animals to humans and vice versa. This common process is known as zoonosis.

And with more selfies, it’s putting African gorillas at serious risk of virus outbreaks within the gorilla populations.

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