On January 30, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a global public health emergency. With a health emergency as large as this, there were immediate calls for a vaccine. And yet, we not only lack a vaccine for coronavirus, but treatment as well.

There are over 8,000 confirmed cases globally, with six of those cases in the United States. The CDC has also confirmed the first human-to-human transmission in the U.S.

“This is nothing to be either surprised or concerned about,” said Dr. Tom Frieden, president of Resolve to Save Lives and former director of the CDC. Freiden mentioned a need to focus on how the virus is spreading in China. By looking at the virus where it started, they can better understand it and slow the outbreak.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that 2020 is the start of the decade for disease elimination.

That’s not to take away from the many medical and health accomplishments in the past 10 years. But, as we enter a new decade, the WHO hopes to achieve even more in the coming years.

The organization attributes the previous successes to new commitments to health worldwide. And with those improvements, millions of lives have been saved.

But, there remains many ongoing health risks throughout the world, some of which are only getting worse. So, we enter the decade with challenges, including, “the 2020 and 2030 global elimination targets for HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).”

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After only a few decades with the vaccine, chickenpox cases have plummeted in the United States. But, that doesn’t mean the virus is completely gone. And with the virus still active, there’s a chance your child could come down with chickenpox.

Chickenpox is highly uncomfortable and when your child has it, you want to make sure that they’re as comfortable as possible.

Although, you need to be careful when treating chickenpox symptoms. Despite trying to help, you may make the situation worse and even life-threatening.

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Cholera outbreaks were unfortunately common in the previous decade.

The situation in Haiti lasted for nearly 10 years, with rising temperatures causing more cases in many other countries. An epidemic in Yemen even set the mark as the world’s worst cholera epidemic in history.

But, as we enter a new decade, the world’s cholera problem looks to be improving. Cholera cases dropped by 60% globally in 2018, according to the World Health Organization. The drop in cases not only shows an end to many of those previous outbreaks, but further progress in fighting the disease.

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Norovirus, more commonly known as the stomach flu, has caused many recent outbreaks across the United States.

The “stomach flu”, where individuals experience vomiting and diarrhea, is usually associated with influenza. Although, according to the CDC, the symptoms of influenza are not the same and are mainly respiratory. The “stomach flu” can be caused by other various viruses and bacteria.

The stomach flu can cause diarrhea, fever, stomach pain and projectile vomiting. Anyone who’s had a bout with both norovirus and the flu will note the much-worse stomach symptoms with the former.

And if you’re worried about catching the stomach flu this year, your blood type could make a big difference in infection. That’s because a new study has shown that your blood type may increase your chances of getting sick.

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