Each year, about 1 million cases of shingles occur in the United States alone.

Shingles tends to be labeled a virus that attacks the elderly. Most people who do contract the virus, do so past the age of 50 years old. From a public health standpoint, it’s important that those who can be vaccinated receive the vaccine against shingles.

Shingles can have several serious complications, such as effects on the eye. Once the virus does affect the eye, it can lead to some dangerous situations that may need surgical solutions.

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Until recently, only people living near wooded areas or spending large amounts of time outdoors were at a consistent danger for lyme disease. But, it seems that lyme disease is becoming more prevalent in urban areas.

Typically, this illness is found among populations that are in rural regions. Regions near forests and areas where there is tall grass growing could pose a higher risk for the disease.

Ticks, especially the black-legged ticks, are the primary way people are infected with lyme disease. They climb those tall grasses and low tree limbs to survive. The insects eventually nestle and attach themselves in a warm, cozy section of a mammal’s body. Deer and humans seem to be the most preferred mammals for ticks.

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After a widespread vaccination campaign, the United States declared measles eradicated in 2000.

Eradicating the disease capped off a decades-long mission.

Starting the program in 1963, the U.S. would have 3 to 4 million residents diagnosed with measles every year. After 37 years, the U.S. met the CDC’s standards for eradication: no transmission of measles for one year.

But, the fight against measles doesn’t end when the CDC declares elimination.

A country needs to maintain the fight against this disease and continue widespread vaccinations. For various reasons, this proved problematic across the country.

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Many parts of the world don’t need to worry about access to vaccines and medical care. Locals can head down to a nearby doctor’s office, clinic or pharmacy and get all the vaccinations they need.

That’s unfortunately not the case in may smaller or less-developed countries around the world.

Take Ghana for example.

The small African country is located in the northwestern shores of a vast continent. While Ghana is a middle-income African nation, locals still have trouble accessing many health needs.

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Mosquitoes may carry some of the most dangerous diseases, but they largely stay in the same regions.

Those subtropical climates create a perfect home for the insects. Visitors to Africa, the Caribbean, Central and South America or Southeast Asia knows the prep needed to avoid these diseases. The only worry for locals in other areas was if a travelers brought the disease home. If they were bit and brought chikungunya or dengue fever to a new area, local infections could begin.

Unfortunately, those many deadly diseases may not stay in the same regions for long.

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