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6 of the Most Common Diseases in Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s tropical weather and lush scenery attract many tourists from all around the globe. Last year, the country broke its record for tourists by reaching just shy of three million arrivals. However, that same equatorial climate also brings still water and multiple mosquito-borne illnesses. Below are some of the most common diseases in Costa Rica.

  1. Malaria
    Malaria is a disease spread by the parasites living in certain mosquitoes. The initial symptoms — chills, headaches and fever — typically take around 10-15 days to make themselves apparent. Even though it can be life-threatening if left untreated, it is both preventable and curable. Chloroquine is a popular prescription for it in Costa Rica.
  2. Dengue Fever and Chikungunya Virus
    Two more common diseases in Costa Rica are dengue fever and chikungunya virus. During 2016’s first five weeks, these infections skyrocketed 600 percent from the same time the preceding year. They are both transferred via mosquito bites and share a few symptoms: headaches, joint and muscle pain and rashes. Fortunately, dengue and chikungunya are rarely fatal.
  3. Zika
    Zika, another mosquito-borne illness, can be found in Costa Rica. Once someone is infected, they are also at risk of spreading the disease through sex. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend either using condoms or avoiding sexual contact with an infected individual. Additionally, not everyone who has Zika gets sick. This is a problem especially for pregnant women, as they may not know they are infected and can pass the disease along to their child which would result in serious birth defects.As of now, the CDC states that Zika has no vaccine or medicine. However, it recommends staying above 6,500 feet (where Zika-carrying mosquitoes are unlikely to be found due to unfavorable environmental conditions) and has a guide for preventing mosquito bites altogether.
  4. Chagas Disease
    Chagas disease is spread via parasites in the Reduviid bug and mostly affects people living in rural Costa Rica. One of the methods of infections is particularly repulsive. While the bug bites someone, it defecates on them. The parasites rely on the person to swat the bug as this will grind the feces into the new bite wound.According to Mayo Clinic, the symptoms — loss of appetite, fatigue, eyelid swelling, nausea and others — are typically mild and may not even occur until the disease reaches the chronic stage. Current treatments for Chagas disease focus on eliminating the parasite, but these medications won’t work if the disease becomes chronic.
  5. Leptospirosis
    Lastly, there is leptospirosis. It is a bacterial disease spread through the infected urine of animals. People with scrapes or open wounds who come into contact with contaminated water are at risk. The symptoms can be mistaken for a multitude of other diseases and take anywhere from two days to four weeks to surface.However, prevention is fairly easy. Avoiding contact with water that may be infected (including puddles) and wearing protective clothing when engaging in water sports greatly reduce the chances of infection.

While some of the most common diseases in Costa Rica may not have cures as of now, prevention is key. There are many resources widely available to help locals and tourists alike maintain their health in a climate that can foster such illnesses.

– Jada Haynes

Photo: Flickr

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Common Diseases in Nicaragua

The most common diseases in Nicaragua include bacterial diarrhea, Hepatitis A, typhoid fever, dengue fever and malaria. Recently, countries in this region of the world have also seen a rise in Zika transmission. Common diseases in Nicaragua are food and waterborne diseases and vector-borne diseases.

The food and waterborne diseases seen in Nicaragua are bacterial diarrhea, Hepatitis A, and Typhoid fever. These can be contracted by ingesting contaminated food or water. Hepatitis A attacks the liver, resulting in fever, jaundice and diarrhea. About 15 percent of infected individuals will have these symptoms for more than six months. Typhoid fever leads to extremely high fevers, and when left untreated it has a mortality rate of 20 percent.

Dengue fever and malaria are spread by vectors, just like the Zika virus. Dengue fever is transferred through mosquito bites and has a death rate of 5 percent caused by shock or hemorrhage. Malaria is also spread through mosquitoes.

The CDC is most concerned with the prevalence of the Zika virus, because of the lasting effects it has on a population. Although the virus does not usually lead to death, it is an issue for pregnant women, who transfer the disease to their unborn children. When infected, these children will suffer from a lack of development in their skulls, which will cause major problems throughout their lives.

The good news is that the common diseases in Nicaragua are fairly easy to prevent with vaccination and proper hygiene. By avoiding contact with animals and bodily fluids, as well as preventing the spread of germs, the likelihood of contracting these diseases lessens greatly.

– Helen Barker

Photo: Flickr

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Working to Fight Common Diseases in South Africa

South Africa has one of the highest rates of tuberculosis (TB) in the world. The disease has continued to be the leading cause of death since 1997. Responsible for around 38,000 deaths annually, it remains one of the most common diseases in South Africa, especially in poorer areas where people are not properly vaccinated, cannot afford medical care and do not have access to decent healthcare services.

Tuberculosis is easily spread through the air, and those with a compromised immune system, such as those with HIV/AIDS, are especially susceptible. This puts a large portion of the population at heightened risk as an estimated seven million South Africans have HIV.

A tuberculosis vaccine is available but is usually only for children or young adults at risk. For those who have the disease, a strict antibiotic routine for a minimum of six months is necessary to completely eradicate the bacteria. If the treatment is not followed correctly or completed in full, then the bacteria may become resistant to the drug and even more difficult to treat. It is necessary to educate patients on the importance of finishing treatment and to limit the spread of the disease.

In a recently published study conducted by Dr. Nazir Ismail, the head of the Centre for Tuberculosis at the National Institute of Communicable Diseases, results showed that TB has been on the decline. During the last three years of the 12-year period, the number of new TB cases had dropped between four to six percent annually.

Influenza and pneumonia are other common diseases in South Africa. Together these diseases account for around 22,000 deaths each year, the second highest cause of death in South Africa. Influenza, also known as the flu, is highly contagious from person to person and is a common cause of pneumonia. People infected with HIV are also far more likely to develop pneumonia when they contract influenza.

There are vaccines available for both influenza and some types of pneumonia that are not completely protective. Flu vaccinations change seasonally. Pneumonia vaccines are necessary only once or with a booster. Actual treatment depends on the variation and severity of the disease. Rest and fluids may be enough, but some cases may require antibiotics.

Statistics show that heart disease is a leading cause of death amongst the middle and upper-class populations in South Africa. Gastric diseases, such as diarrhea, cholera and others caused by contaminated water, are more common among impoverished populations.

Even though the death rate from these common diseases in South Africa seems high, the overall mortality rate is decreasing. The country seeks to lower the rate even further through better medical care and treatment of these diseases.

– Hannah Kaiser

Photo: Flickr

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Top Diseases in Haiti


Before the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti, 80% of Haitians already lived below the poverty line, and 54% of the natives lived in poverty. Already an economically struggling country, the earthquake shattered what little financial support it had by creating $8.5 billion in destruction. According to the Inter-American Development Bank, Haiti’s gross domestic product decreased to 5.1% and destroyed 106,000 homes while damaging another 188,383 homes.

While the effects of the earthquake still linger, diseases in Haiti are still one of the most prominent causes of death in the nation. Tuberculosis has proven to be one of the most detrimental diseases in Haiti, with two million people dying each year due to the disease, and another 8.4 million contracting the disease. USAID notes that Haiti is among the highest per capita recipients of tuberculosis in the Latin America and Caribbean region, and has become one of the most infectious causes of mortality in both children and young adults with a recorded 6,814 deaths in 2007. EMBO reports that fewer than half of the tuberculosis cases are diagnosed, and of those diagnosed, only 30% have access to treatable care.

USAID notes that Haiti is among the highest per capita recipients of tuberculosis in the Latin America and Caribbean region, and has become one of the most infectious causes of mortality in both children and young adults with a recorded 6,814 deaths in 2007. The European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO) reports that fewer than half of the tuberculosis cases are diagnosed, and of those diagnosed, only 30% have access to treatable care. EMBO suggests that the rate of tuberculosis in Haiti is largely in part of the expansion of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. HIV/AIDS has also been one of the deadly diseases in Haiti, proving to be the cause of death for three million residents of Haiti per year. Of those who are diagnosed with HIV/Aids, one-third died of tuberculosis.

EMBO suggests that the rate of tuberculosis in Haiti is largely in part of the expansion of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. HIV/AIDS has also been one of the deadly diseases in Haiti, proving to be the cause of death for three million residents of Haiti per year. Of those who are diagnosed with HIV/Aids, one-third died of tuberculosis.

Diseases in Haiti are also highly contracted from mosquito bites that in turn become vector-borne diseases. One of the most common vector-borne diseases is malaria, which impacts 1,278 residents out every 100,000 people annually. Another disease in Haiti that is notably less common is Chikungunya. The virus transmission was first reported in Haiti in May 2014, and infects 627 Haitians per 100,000. Cholera is the last example of vector-borne diseases in Haiti. It severely broke out following the earthquake in 2010, causing 700,000 cases of illness and 8,500 deaths last year. In 2014, 27,750 residents of Haiti reported having cholera, 296 deaths resulted from the disease.

Cholera is the last example of vector-borne diseases in Haiti. It severely broke out following the earthquake in 2010, causing 700,000 cases of illness and 8,500 deaths last year. In 2014, 27,750 residents of Haiti reported having cholera, 296 deaths resulted from the disease.

There are strong efforts to reduce diseases in Haiti through a variety of health programs. One of the health programs in Haiti is Partners in Health, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Partners in Health has made significant strides in integrating a “four pillars of health” system. This includes voluntary HIV counseling and testing in primary healthcare, maternal health services and tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment while providing healthcare from a humans rights approach and using paid community health workers to accompany patients with their chronic disease.

The work of Partners for Health has made a drastic and positive impact on HIV/AIDS prevention. Through the Partners for Health, a survey conducted off treatment approaches proved that 59 of 60 patients responded favorably to the treatment, providing hope for the future.

Overall, diseases in Haiti are still very prominent and remain a global issue for humanitarians. That said, programs such as Partners for Health are making a tremendous effort in reducing the rise of diseases in Haiti.

– Patrick Greeley

Photo: Flickr

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Fighting Common Diseases in War-Torn Countries

Diseases in War-Torn Countries
Poor sanitation, hygiene, overcrowding, medicine shortages and food insecurity are major issues in countries immersed in warfare. Nations such as Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Nigeria, South Sudan, Somalia, Libya and the Central African Republic face these issues. Consequently, diseases in war-torn countries are a major concern. Inadequate amounts of safe drinking water and nutritious meals in refugee camps endanger millions of lives. One child dies every 10 minutes due to preventable diseases.

The International Office of Migration recently declared that a rise in the number of individuals in refugee camps is coincident with the increase in the number of diseases in war-torn countries in Africa.

The following diseases are most prevalent among individuals who have been externally and internally displaced:

Malnutrition
Over 400,000 children in African countries under 5 currently suffer from acute malnutrition. Additionally, nearly 2.2 million children in Yemen are also suffering from severe cases of acute malnutrition. Malnutrition can exacerbate and give rise to other diseases, like cholera, tuberculosis and pneumonia.

Consequently, UNICEF is conducting localized vaccination campaigns and nutrition surveillance initiatives to address malnutrition. The World Health Organization (WHO) is working alongside health authorities and other partners to swiftly respond to the risks posed by life-threatening diseases in war-torn countries. Under the WHO, the Early Warning Alert and Response System (EWARS) is aiding in the training of health personnel and surveillance officers. It also assists with the effective detection of massive disease outbreaks.

Cholera
Cholera is growing very common in South Sudan. The Vibrio cholerae bacterium produces a distinct toxin that poisons cells. Once this condition aggravates, it is difficult to absorb water from the gastrointestinal tract. This results in the secretion of large volumes of water.

UNICEF-sponsored clinics are initiating oral-rehydration therapies and distributing water purification tablets to help those impacted.

Malaria
Malaria is becoming especially common among refugee camps along the Turkish-Syria border and many parts of Pakistan. It can culminate in the complete collapse of the body systems. Additionally, children are especially susceptible to this illness.

China has recently transported over 500,000 anti-malaria drugs to South Sudan to combat the threat of malaria. Over 400,000 individuals will benefit from this.

Polio
This disease is still endemic in countries like Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Polio results in weaknesses in the muscles of the legs and diaphragm and paralysis. Immunization coverage is also quite poor in these places.

However, the Gavi Alliance board is supporting the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) as a way of addressing the humanitarian emergency it poses to refugees and vulnerable civilians. With the help of the Gavi initiative, immunization programs will become more routine and efficient in combatting such diseases in war-torn countries. The cost to extend the project until 2020 is over $250 million. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) and the U.K. Department for International Development (DFID) currently spearhead the project.

Hepatitis E
This particular infection is essentially a liver disease and is caused by the HEV virus due to the consumption of contaminated food and water. The disease passes through the fecal-oral route. Hepatitis E impacts over 20 million individuals worldwide every year. The WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on immunization has been reviewing the state of the disease and the immunogenicity of the vaccine since 2015.

Measles
An estimated of 2.6 million children under the age of 15 are at risk of contracting the disease in Yemen. The majority of women and children have not received vaccinations for more than 2 years. Also known as rubeola, measles can become very ubiquitous during periods of mass-displacement. It is an infectious and contagious disease that results in high fever and challenges to the respiratory system. The current lack of vaccination and immunization schemes is debilitating.

The Global Measles and Rubella Strategic Plan is a 10-year initiative conducted by the WHO and World Health Assembly from 2012 to 2020. It aims to ensure the control and elimination of measles.

Overall, it is vital to counter the risk of diseases in war-torn countries from becoming endemics in refugee camps and war-torn areas. Due to the close proximity in which people live in these zones, diseases and infections can become very widespread. But the current collaborative efforts undertaken by nonprofit and international organizations will go a long way in alleviating the problem.

– Shivani Ekkanath

Photo: Flickr

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Efforts to Limit the Spread of Diseases in Kenya

Diseases in Kenya
As a country with a population growing by more than one million people per year, the Sub-Saharan African nation of Kenya struggles to treat and contain diseases. Kenya is a densely populated nation that experiences significant treatable diseases due to a lack of economic development and poor water quality. Common diseases in Kenya such as malaria, HIV/AIDS and lower respiratory infections remain a consistent threat to the population though significant progress has been made in recent years.

Today’s biggest threat is HIV/AIDS, which was Kenya’s leading cause of death in the last 10 years, killing 36,000 people in 2015. This number is down from 54,000 in 2012, however, as HIV prevention programs were greatly successful in reducing new infections and raising awareness about the disease. The National AIDS Control Council (NACC) headed the effort and is currently working toward a set of objectives to achieve by 2019, including reducing new HIV infections by 75% and reducing AIDS-related mortality by 25%.

Kenya has a high rate of water-borne illnesses such as malaria, dengue fever and schistosomiasis. In a country where 70% of the 46 million people are at risk for malaria, preventative efforts in recent years focused on highest-risk areas to curb the spread of the diseases in Kenya. Efforts such as the use of intermittent preventative treatment and insect-treated nets have played a crucial role in dropping the malaria prevalence by 3% between 2010 and 2015. Anti-malaria measures have contributed to a 29% drop in child mortality since 2008.

Kenya also faces threats from bacterial diseases such as tuberculosis. Typhoid fever rates are highest among children age two to four, and the disease disproportionately affects those in urban areas and slums.

One of the most significant factors preventing the treatment of common diseases in Kenya is the lack of hospitals and other healthcare infrastructure. Currently, Kenya has just one doctor and only 12 nurses for every 10,000 people.

Friction between the Kenyan government and doctors adds to the problems mounting in the country’s continuing fight against preventable disease. In March of 2017, Kenyan doctors ended their 100-day strike, aimed at increasing pay and restoring run-down public health facilities. A lack of funding may also create future problems when it comes to preventable disease. In December 2016, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria announced that its package toward malaria programs in Kenya would be cut in half.

While significant progress was made to reduce the threat of preventable diseases like HIV and malaria, Kenyans remain at risk. With a rapidly growing population and limited availability of healthcare resources, Kenya will continue to face challenges to keep its population healthy and needs to remain vigilant to prevent further spread of disease.

– Nick Dugan

Photo: Flickr

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Common Diseases in The Democratic Republic of the Congo

Common Diseases in The Democratic Republic of Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a country located in Central Africa and has a population of 69.6 million people. With a GDP per capita of $753, the DRC is one of the poorest countries in the world. Half the country’s population lives below the poverty line, and most of the nation’s poor lives in rural areas, working as farmers and fishers. Common diseases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are also a major plight.

From 1997 to 2003, the country was engulfed in a civil war, and other African countries also became involved. The war’s central cause was a desire for possession over the DRC’s mineral wealth, water and food. It also gravely damaged the DRC’s infrastructure. Today, there is still violence due to political instability, which makes it difficult for aid workers to access the area.

Additionally, a multitude of diseases devastates the nation. Common diseases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo include malaria, diarrheal diseases from lack of clean water, measles and cholera.

Both diarrhea and cholera in the DRC stem from a lack of adequate sanitation and safe water. In the DRC, less than 25% of people have access to clean water. Cholera outbreaks occur frequently.

The country has seen an epidemic of measles, as well, and NGOs like Médecins Sans Frontières, or Doctors Without Borders (MSF), have vaccinated millions of children. Malaria is yet another major problem and is the leading cause of death in the DRC.

Many NGOs have stepped in to help the Congolese. The area also suffers from a lack of hospital equipment and a shortage of staff. MSF has built treatment centers for cholera, and UNICEF has created the Healthy Villages program. This program aims to bring better sanitation and safe water to villages. Currently, 3,275 villages in the DRC are taking part in the Healthy Villages program.

MSF has addressed the problem of malaria by offering support to seven health centers with the aim of treating common diseases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Center for Disease and Control (CDC) actively fights against malaria in the DRC under the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI). It provides the Congolese people with long-lasting mosquito nets, prevents women from developing malaria while pregnant and improves the care of infected patients.

– Anna Gargiulo

Photo: Flickr

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The Most Common Diseases in Cuba


Cuba, the largest country in the Caribbean, has had a tumultuous relationship with the United States for the past few decades. While the country has an exceptionally high literacy rate and health care program, Cuba struggles with patterns of disease. Those traveling to Cuba are warned to be extremely careful, and many vaccines are recommended for visitors. Some of the common diseases in Cuba are typhoid fever, hepatitis A and the Zika virus.

Typhoid fever occurs with a lack of sanitation and results from contaminated water or food. The disease usually manifests as fever and an upset stomach. There is no entirely effective vaccine, so it is crucial to avoid any food or water that could potentially carry the disease. If contracted, antibiotics will fix the symptoms within a few days as long as it is caught in time. Since 1990, Cuba’s mortality rate from typhoid fever has increased by almost 47.7%.

Another of the most common diseases in Cuba is hepatitis A, a liver disease. Its symptoms are usually fever, stomach pain, loss of appetite and yellowing skin. It typically spreads through water sources and can be contracted through the consumption of food or drink that has come into contact with these sources. While most people fully recover from hepatitis A, it is still important to be vaccinated against the disease before traveling to Cuba. Symptoms can last for almost nine months.

The Zika virus also poses a threat to the health of those living in and visiting Cuba. As of this year, nearly 2,000 people have contracted the disease in Cuba. Spread through mosquito bites, Zika is so feared because neither vaccine nor medicine has been developed to fight its spread. It can also be spread through sexual contact and is especially dangerous for expectant mothers due to its link to birth defects.

Thankfully, the Cuban government is taking great pains to fight against the spread of Zika. Their fumigation and hospitalization policies with communities struggling with Zika have proven effective but highly intrusive. With the continuation of this approach and an increase in the prevalence and access to vaccines, citizens should see a decrease in the prevalence of common diseases in Cuba.

– Julia McCartney

Photo: Flickr

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Life Expectancy and the Top Diseases in Macedonia

Top Diseases in Macedonia

Macedonia is a tiny, landlocked country just to the north of Greece in southern Europe. With just over two million people, the country is larger than some of the surrounding areas like Kosovo. The top diseases in Macedonia mirror the entire rest of the world, yet the percentages of people afflicted have changed over the years.

The average annual mortality rate per 100,000 people is 743.3. This rate is down from years past. Life expectancy is 75 years old, higher than the average worldwide. Females live longer than males by about six years. Better yet, the average life expectancy has grown by about four or five years over the last 25 years.

The top diseases in Macedonia include common heart diseases capturing the top three spots. The entire top five has not changed in 25 years with each only varying slightly in the percentage that has changed. Spots four and five are still held by lung cancer and diabetes respectively. Alzheimer’s disease made the biggest jump on the list with a 37% change. COPD and cancers round out the top 10 list.

The major risk factors in Macedonia are high blood pressure, poor diet and tobacco use. The percentage of disease attributed to these risk factors and the others is 50.5%. That percentage needs to be dropped with more of an emphasis on care and services being provided to avoid losing these many people each year. More risk factors include cholesterol, pollution and alcohol and drug use. There are some that can be cut entirely to save people from that. Pollution is a global issue that needs to be addressed in many countries around the world.

Macedonia has come a long way with the life expectancy rising and many of the diseases dropping in frequency over the last 25 years. The top diseases in Macedonia list still hold a lot of what is already seen around the world. The country still has much it can improve upon, especially heart disease.

– Brendin Axtman

Photo: Flickr

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Top Diseases in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Top Diseases in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina is located in southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Croatia. The country declared sovereignty in 1991 and independence from Yugoslavia in 1992. After signing a 1995 peace agreement, the country is about half the Bosniak/Croat Federation, and the other half the Bosnian-Serb Republika Srpska. As of 2016, the life expectancy of the country’s 3.8 million inhabitants is 76.7 years, and only non-communicable diseases are the most common causes of death. Here are the top diseases in Bosnia and Herzegovina:

Ischemic Heart Disease
Also known as coronary artery disease, ischemic heart disease is an illness consisting of decreased or restricted blood flow to the heart. In 2015, it was recorded as the most fatal of the top diseases in Bosnia and Herzegovina and had been for the last decade. To make matters worse, the prevalence of deaths by ischemic heart disease had increased by 6%.

Cerebrovascular Disease
A disease of cerebral circulation, deaths by cerebrovascular disease are the second most common cause of mortality in Bosnia and Herzegovina as of 2015. Although cerebrovascular disease was the second most common cause of death ten years previously as well, the prevalence of deaths by the disease had raised by 17.8% by 2015.

Cardiomyopathy
Defined as a condition in which the heart muscles become thick, enlarged or rigid, cardiomyopathy can lead to heart failure or arrhythmias. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, cardiomyopathy was reported to be the third most common cause of death in 2015, once again consistent with the previous ten years on record. However, unlike the more mild increase in deaths by ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease, the prevalence of deaths by cardiomyopathy had skyrocketed within the decade at a staggering 53.7%.

With all of the top diseases in Bosnia and Herzegovina concerning cardiovascular health, the country has become aware of the growing health epidemic and taken steps to address the issue. In 2000, Bosnia and Herzegovina was one of the first European countries to celebrate the international holiday of World Heart Day. The implementation of The European Guidelines for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and the signing of the European Heart Health Charter in 2007 hopes to address this issue. With such a willingness to address cardiovascular health domestically, the world is sure to see a decrease in the current top diseases in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

– Shannon Golden

Photo: Flickr