Diseases and Disease Vectors Spread in the USA Amidst Economic Collapse

Diseases and disease vectors are spreading in the U.S., under conditions of the lack of standard public health measures, and economic collapse. Exemplifying this, are the outbreaks of whooping cough (pertussis), encephalitis, and new cases of dengue. In recent years, the rate of infectious diseases started slowing rising again in the United States—after nine decades of decline. This resurgence is consistent with the downgrading of the physical economy for the past 40 years. Now, the rate of disease resurgence can be expected to take off, unless the Obama Administration is set aside. Moreover, these diseases, which have serious consequences, do not even involve new or exotic microbes.

* CALIFORNIA. On June 23, the outbreak of pertussis, or whoopping cough, was officially declared an epidemic. At the time, there were 910 cases year-to-date statewide, a surge. As of this week, there are 1,300 cases year-to-date. So far, there are five deaths, including two infants. The state public health system is on a campaign for vaccinations and booster shots, but clinic and outreach capacities are shrinking. The "peak season" for pertussis is not yet here, which includes August and September. This is considered the worst outbreak in 50 years.

* FLORIDA. There is a dangerous encephalitis and mosquito situation. The University of Florida reports that last Winter's record-breaking cold has not diminished the mosquito vector, as they had hoped. The disease worries now include dengue, not just encephalitis.

ENCEPHALITIS. There are concerns about St. Louis encephalitis, West Nile encephalitis, and even the equine variant. The University of Florida Medical Entomology Lab has mapped out the high-alert counties of the state. Eastern equine encephalitis is also a concert throughout the Florida Panhandle, where several horses have it; it can be transferred to humans.

DENGUE. In 2009, the first cases of dengue in 50 years occurred in southern Florida. At the moment, dengue is confined to Key West, but is a general threat. "We were hoping that it wouldn't be very prevalent this year, but the number of cases are starting to add up," said Coleen Fitzsimmons, a biologist, with the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District.

Another danger zone in North America, is the Rio Grande Basin, especially areas of northern Mexico, hit by the flooding following Hurricane Alex. Local officials on the Mexican side of the border reported that as of Monday, there has been one official positive case of dengue, and four suspected cases. It's an ongoing situation, as the flood surges move downriver. One official estimated that over 1,000 people would remain in very crowded shelters in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, for at least two weeks more, and health authorities fear the incidence of dengue. There are also other potential diseases and threats of epidemics.