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Health Check: El Nino Shifts Cholera Outbreaks in Africa

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2017/04/12 GMT

El Nino Shifts Cholera Outbreaks in Africa

BBC World Service - Health Check, El Nino Shifts Cholera Outbreaks in Africa

How the weather phenomenon El Nino influences where in Africa cholera outbreaks occur

El Nino and Cholera in Africa; Risks of eating raw pigs blood; Personal space preferences around the world

El Nino is a complex weather phenomenon which researchers from Johns Hopkins University have now linked a shift in cholera cases across Africa. Researchers found that approximately 50,000 additional cases in East Africa occurred during El Niño years. It is hoped improved understanding of weather patterns will enable better planning to mitigate against the impact of this deadly disease.

Pigs Blood: A delicacy in Vietnam, tiet canh is a dish made from raw pigs’ blood mixed with other pork products, served as a jelly. Unfortunately it also carries the risk of spreading meningitis to humans. Once the bacteria Streptococcus suis is consumed it can take hold in the tonsils, and spread to the brain to cause meningitis which kills up to 35% of those infected. 

Interpersonal Space - The distance at which you perceive that someone is invading your personal space depends on where you live. A team of scientists from Poland have sifted through data from 42 countries to assess which factors influence our preferences. The distance at which Argentines feel comfortable standing alongside a stranger is closer than Saudi Arabians like to be, with a family member. Age, gender and climate all influence how close is too close. 




(Photo: Getty Images)

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