The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the first case of Chikungunya; a debilitating tropical disease that is spread by mosquitoes. Until last Thursday, the disease had only about 25 to 28 cases that were brought back to the United States from foreign travels. This is the first case where the disease has been thought to be transferred from a mosquito within the country.

The disease causes joint pain and stiffness, and it was merely a matter of time before the virus would reach the U.S. The CDC will be monitoring for any new cases in the coming months. It is recommended that you take precautions against mosquito bites.

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Earlier last week, 9-year-old Hally Yust was infected with a brain-eating amoeba known as Naegleria fowleri. This fresh, still water amoeba is a rare form of infection with only 34 reported infections in the past nine years.

The parasite enters through the nose and will eventually work its way through the nervous system and brain and has devastating effects. Symptoms emerge about five days after the infection has taken hold ranging from headache, fever, nausea, vomiting and death. Over the past 50 years, of the 130 reported infections only three people have survived.

Even though the as Naegleria fowleri will cause severe damage, it is not the biggest danger in summer water activities. It is unpredictable whether or not someone will become infected even if exposed to it. The amoeba also cannot be contracted through drinking water contaminated with the parasite. The safest bet is to avoid swimming in warm, still, fresh bodies of water. Use nose plugs if you do and try not to stir up the bottom sediment.

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New York State has become the twenty third state to legalize the use of medical marijuana last Monday. Like the states before it, there was a difficult time in determining the specific rules and boundaries defining the legal usage along with what are considered illegal.

Recent polls questioning the support of the state for legalizing medical marijuana have found an exceeding amount of support. The ball is rolling and many more states are expected to make the decision that NY has in the near future.

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