Question

Question 2

A wagon train leaves Galveston, Texas in September, 1886 on a journey
to Kansas City, Missouri.

•   The people who have “camped out” on their wagons during the night prior to leaving, are plagued by mosquitoes that continue unabated up to and past Houston.

•   Three to six days into the trip about 40 people become acutely ill with muscle pains, severe backache, headache, shivers, anorexia and nausea.

•   Within 5 days, these symptoms resolve in about 85% of the ill.

•   However, in 15% of the ill, we see rapid development of jaundice, abdominal pain, blood in the vomit and feces, kidney failure and death.

*Name the disease and explain the circumstances that led to this outbreak

Answer 1

Malaria is a life-threatening disease. It's typically transmitted through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. Infected mosquitoes carry the Plasmodium parasite. When this mosquito bites you, the parasite is released into your bloodstream.

Malaria is a serious blood disease caused by the parasite Plasmodium Falciparum and it is contagious. It can be spread from one person to another by the bite of the female mosquito Anopheles. Jaundice due to hemolysis in malaria is a common illness.

Living in a Region With a High Rate of Malaria

Living in a region that is known for malaria substantially increases the risk of becoming infected. While it has been noted that some people living in regions with a high rate of malaria may become immune, many otherwise healthy people with normal immune systems experience serious complications and may die from the infection.

Visiting a Region With a High Rate of Malaria

Travelers who visit regions with a high rate of malaria may become infected, particularly because travelers who have not been exposed to the infection before have not developed immunity to the condition.

Environmental Factors

Some factors increase exposure to malaria, including a lack of protective clothing, exposed sleeping accommodations, lack of insect repellant, and lack of immunization. Especially when traveling, do your best to take proper precautions.

The most important climatic factors that directly affect malaria transmission aretemperature, rainfall and humidity.