Here's some good news on the epidemiological front: we're closing in on polio.

"The planet could become polio-free by the end of the year, under plans outlined by health ministers from the six remaining polio-endemic countries at an emergency meeting this Thursday. Some 250 million children are to be vaccinated this year in a series of massive immunization campaigns.

"Thanks to a successful global vaccination campaign, poliovirus is more geographically restricted now than ever before. Transmission levels are at an all-time low, providing a rare opportunity to nail the virus once and for all."
(Thanks, Vinay!)