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Asked by Nikkita to Linda on 17 Jun 2016.
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Linda Anagu answered on 17 Jun 2016:
@Nikkita, parasites are a great contribution to diseases in the Africa, but certainly not in other parts of the world that are developed. I such areas, diseases like cancer and immune disorders are more. Some researchers have said that it is due to exposure to industrial waste and the super hygienic condition where the normal flora of the body are even wiped out. The normal body flora also helps us to fight off diseases.
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Comments
Franco commented on :
Parasites occur worldwide and also have a considerable health and economic impact on animals, such as sheep, cows and pigs. Therefore, many parasitologists also work on animal parasites, together with Vets.
Malaria occurred throughout Europe in earlier centuries, and was even endemic as north as Germany and Norway. Italy also had malaria- the name malaria comes from Italian mala aria and means ‘bad air’ as it was known to occur near swamps.
There are still many places afflicted by parasitic diseases. Africa, as Linda explained, but also for example South America, where you find terrible diseases such as Leishmaniasis and Schistosomiasis. There are terrible parasitic diseases also in much of Asia, such as lymphatic filariasis. Japan has been vey good in eliminating schistosomiasis from their country many years ago, and China is also succeeding, although it is much bigger so it’s more difficult.
So there is still a lot to do for parasitologists, and things can change rapidly. I am sure that you have heard about Zika virus, which is transmitted by mosquitos (parasites).
Parasites occur worldwide, and they have a huge impact on animal and human health.
Mark commented on :
Hi Nikkita
Parasites affect hundreds of millions of people across the globe at any one time. It is estimated that nearly 1 million people each year die from parasitic infection. That is a lot less than it used to be because a lot more people receive some form of intervention.