The health of the American public is a matter of serious concern for agencies across the country. Though some pathogens and environmental factors affect the country as a whole, each section of the country may also have special circumstances that affect their region. Monitoring these problems and applying effective countermeasures is the responsibility of public health agencies in specific sections of the country.
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is a pathogen that is carried by the deer tick. This insect is prevalent in many wooded areas of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia and even into Wisconsin. The pathogen is transmitted through the bite of the tick and can cause fatigue, headache, rash and fever. If left untreated, Lyme Disease can progress to arthritis and other serious health problems.
Hanta Virus
The Centers for Disease Control states hanta virus can be transmitted to humans through contact with the droppings or saliva of infected rodents. The virus can also be present in dust that is spread into the air. Infection by the hanta virus can cause fever, fatigue, muscle aches headaches and vomiting. It can lead to a serious pulmonary condition that can lead to death. Hanta virus is primarily found in rural areas of California, Colorado, Arizona and other western states.
West Nile Virus
The West Nile virus is transmitted through mosquitoes that have fed on infected birds. This virus is linked to cases of meningitis that can be life threatening. Initial stages of infection may show no symptoms, or there may be skin rash, body aches and swollen lymph glands. West Nile virus has been prevalent in the eastern section of the United States, but recent cases have been reported in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi.
Cancer Clusters
Health departments collect data about common medical conditions that occur in various areas of the country. This data can often reveal significant outbreaks of diseases and conditions that occur in limited areas. Over recent decades, cases of cancers have been found to “cluster” in defined areas, causing public health officials to closely monitor environmental conditions in the area to determine possible causes. The clustered illnesses may be particularly rare forms of cancer, an unexpectedly large number of people with cancer or cancer occurring in populations that are not normally found to have cancer, such as children.
Some areas in the United States where known “cancer clusters” exist include areas around Clyde, Ohio, according to the Huffington Post. Other clusters have occurred in Wobern, Massachusetts; Toms River, New Jersey; and Prairie Grove, Arkansas. Some of these cancer clusters have been linked to the increased presence of chemical or toxic pollutants in the environment. However, the cause of these clusters is frequently not known.
Many of these pathogens and contaminants can be managed by environmental agencies to minimize their effect of the public. Other problems can be monitored to diagnose medical conditions in the early stages to reduce their catastrophic effects on health. These measures help to protect the public on a daily basis and make life safer for everyone.