Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is caused by a dangerous bacteria belonging to the genus Borrelia. Genus Borrelia contains 3 species of bacteria which include Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, Borrelia afzelii, and Borrelia garinii. Borrelia burgdorferi is responsible for Lyme disease in North America, while Borreli afzelii and Borrelia garinii cause the most Lyme disease cases in Europe. The name Lyme was given to the disease because the first number of outbreaks was monitored in Lyme, Connecticut in 1975. The disease itself has always been classified as tick-borne disease, but its causes were never identified by any studies on it. However, this mystery was solved in 1978 with the discovery of the B. burgdorferi which was the work of Willy Burgdorfer. Lyme disease is classified as perhaps the known tick-borne diseases exist. It is transmitted to humans with the bite of infected ticks that are found in the genus Ixodes class. Lyme disease attacks its victims by causing fatigue, fever, headache, depression, and migraine. Furthermore, if this attack is left untreated, Lyme can attack the nervous system, joints, and heart. Antibiotics are a successful mean to treat Lyme disease.

Naegleria fowleri

Naegleria fowleri is an excavate found in water, mostly fresh water. The selection of water types where Naegleria can be found are rivers, ponds, lake, and hot springs. Many individuals believe that this can only be in water. However, it has also been discovered living in soil. In fact, there is no evidence-based research that places it in salt water. Fowleri has been identified as having the potential to attack and damage an individual’s nervous system (CNS). Furthermore, it can be deadly once it gets to the CNS. Once it gets to this point, the percentage for survival is less than two percent. Fowleri’s routes of transmission include the nose through the olfactory mucosa that gives access to the CNS through the cribriform plate. Once the organism reaches the brain, it destroys cells by means of sucking apparatus from the cell surface. It then becomes harmful and causing meningoencephalitis (PAM).

Spanish Flu Pandemic

The Spanish Flu pandemic was one of the most unusual outbreaks in history of diseases. It took place between 1918 and lasted to 1920.  Identical to the 2009 flu, the 1918 flu also used the H1N1 Influenza. This was a global tragedy that impacted over 500 million individuals with a death toll of 50 to 100 million people.  At that time, this disease had wiped out an estimated 4 to 5 percent of the world’s population, automatically categorized it as one of the deadliest disease occurrence in Human history. Most outbreaks are known to attack elderly, juvenile, and individuals with weakened immune systems. However, the 1918 flu has a record for weakening and killing previously young healthy people. Later research has shown the virus has been successful at victimizing people because it kills using a CYTOKINE STORM. A cytokine storm is basically when a person’s body’s immune system overreacts to a stressor. In the United States, the disease was first discovered in Kansas. The least infected people were found in Japan with a death toll of less than 300,000. Of course, like any other outbreaks some individuals had to be isolated or quarantined. The disease ran its course and came to a natural halt.

Rachel Carson

If someone told you that you should not aggressively fight this disease (i.e. by spraying DDT), but rather that you should hide under a mosquite net...what, as an American would be your reaction?  Please, in this blog, include a map of the distribution of malaria deaths worldwide, and a commentary about the choices that a parent would make (i.e. protect the ecosystem versus keep my child alive).
      
As a Haitian American, I have been on both sides when it comes to using DDT to fight mosquitoes. Growing up in Haiti, every Friday, a truck would drive around neighborhoods with the repellant. It can be agreed upon that this system is not the safest approach to the ecosystem. However, it works for the community. We had two choices to make; one is to not use the repellant and have an increase in death associated with malaria, or put a restriction on the spraying and risk the increase of death related malaria. To a third world country, this choice is not a difficult one to make regarding eradicating malaria.
       To an American, this might be a different story due to a difference in culture and the labor market. A high power nation like the United States has the resources available financially to fight against bacteria while protecting the environment as well. To other countries with less economic stability, this is a choice to be made; one between protecting humanity or the environment. In conclusion, a parent in third world country like Haiti would put more values on their children's protection more than the ecosystem. In America, as mentioned, due to having the luxury and the means of protecting both (children’ health and the ecosystem), parents are not faced with the same decision as the ones from a poor country.

Map continue

Environmental sensitivity index map- describes a coastal region or resources that could become infected and negatively impacted in the case of a spill. An example of this could be an oil spill, or some type of biological resources at risk.

An example of environmental sensitivity index map:

Maps continue

Proportional symbol map- uses different sizes or techniques that represent data associated with different locations or areas in that particular map.

Example of proportional symbol map:

Dot density map- is a map that simply uses dots to show an area or region that has been impacted a certain feature or phenomenon.

An example of density map:

Different types of maps and examples

Chloropleth map- is described and known as a map that has for purpose to indicate a value or average of a property or areas. This is done by having different graded differences in shading or symbols inside defined areas of the map.

Example of a chloropleth map:

Isarithmic map- is described as a contour map, and is designed to show a subject or theme connected with a geographic area. The map can include economic, political, cultural, physical, social, and agricultural facets of a city state, region, etc.

Example of an Isarithmic map: