The Bobster
Senior News Editor since 2004
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/20...n-dangerous-tropical-diseases/#comment-144252
Conference In Philadelphia Focuses On Dangerous Tropical Diseases
December 5, 2011 6:57 AM
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Many people think that tropical diseases and parasites only occur in poor people in Africa and Asia. But, millions of Americans, many of them right here in the Philadelphia area, are impacted by these neglected ailments each year.
“People’s eyes start to glaze over when you start to tell them about these conditions,” says Peter Hotez.
With names like congenital cytomegalovirus, Cysticercosis and Chagas disease, many tropical infections sound unwieldy and far away. But Dr. Peter Hotez, president of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, says their impact can be felt right here.
“(There are) up to a million cases of Chagas disease in the United States, a cause of heart disease.; up to 160,000 cases of Cysticercosis, a cause of epilepsy; and up to 2.8-million cases of Toxocariasis, a possible link to asthma.”
Hotez says tropical diseases can thrive in areas of extreme poverty in the US because of lack of sanitation and exposure to insect vectors. He says the most heavily impacted populations include poor African Americans and Hispanics, who have less access to healthcare and information about disease prevention.
The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene will meet this week at the Philadelphia Marriot to discuss vaccines and disease prevention. For more information on tropical infectious diseases go to ASTMH.org.
Conference In Philadelphia Focuses On Dangerous Tropical Diseases
December 5, 2011 6:57 AM
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Many people think that tropical diseases and parasites only occur in poor people in Africa and Asia. But, millions of Americans, many of them right here in the Philadelphia area, are impacted by these neglected ailments each year.
“People’s eyes start to glaze over when you start to tell them about these conditions,” says Peter Hotez.
With names like congenital cytomegalovirus, Cysticercosis and Chagas disease, many tropical infections sound unwieldy and far away. But Dr. Peter Hotez, president of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, says their impact can be felt right here.
“(There are) up to a million cases of Chagas disease in the United States, a cause of heart disease.; up to 160,000 cases of Cysticercosis, a cause of epilepsy; and up to 2.8-million cases of Toxocariasis, a possible link to asthma.”
Hotez says tropical diseases can thrive in areas of extreme poverty in the US because of lack of sanitation and exposure to insect vectors. He says the most heavily impacted populations include poor African Americans and Hispanics, who have less access to healthcare and information about disease prevention.
The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene will meet this week at the Philadelphia Marriot to discuss vaccines and disease prevention. For more information on tropical infectious diseases go to ASTMH.org.