Specialists in infectious diseases from Baylor College of Medicine and Stanford School of Medicine have recently published an article in the New England Journal of Medicine, outlining the historic impact of yellow fever from the years 1820 to 1905. They emphasize the disease’s potential to reappear, particularly in the context of the increasing incidence of similar ailments in the southern United States. The experts call for intensified monitoring, advancements in antiviral medications, vaccines, and the deployment of cutting-edge gene drive technologies.
The scholars alert about the likely reoccurrence of yellow fever in the southern United States and recommend strengthening disease monitoring mechanisms, fostering antiviral research, and introducing novel techniques for mosquito control.
The incidence of infections transmitted through mosquito vectors is escalating, particularly in states such as Texas and Florida in the southern United States. In light of the increase in mosquito-borne diseases, infectious disease experts from both Baylor College of Medicine and Stanford School of Medicine caution about the feasible resurgence of yellow fever in the southern parts of the nation. Their scholarly article, published on October 19 in the New England Journal of Medicine, advocates for the prioritization of yellow fever in national plans designed to prepare for pandemics.
Table of Contents
Historical Consequences and Present Circumstances
Yellow fever, a viral disease propagated by mosquitoes, wreaked havoc on cities in the southern United States, including New Orleans, Galveston, Memphis, and Charleston, through recurrent epidemics from 1820 to 1905. Dr. Peter Hotez, who is a professor and dean at the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor and co-director of the Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, co-authored the paper. The virus falls under the classification of flavivirus and arbovirus, similar to dengue and Zika, but carries a significantly higher mortality rate. Aedes mosquitoes, common in the Caribbean and Latin American regions as well as southern urban locales like Texas and Florida, transmit yellow fever.
“The surge in mosquito-borne diseases, encompassing malaria, dengue, chikungunya, and Zika virus in Texas and Florida is of concern, and we are now additionally apprehensive about the possible resurgence of yellow fever, which appears to be intensifying in tropical regions of Latin America, such as Brazil and Venezuela,” stated Dr. Hotez. “The reemergence of a high-mortality disease like yellow fever in the southern United States would have far-reaching destabilizing effects.”
Suggested Actions and Scholarly Opinions
Experts suggest augmenting surveillance endeavors by enhancing local health department capabilities to counteract mosquitoes and diseases transmitted by these insects. They also propose the development of antiviral medications, vaccines, and novel gene drive technology, which involves permanently modifying insect genes through genetic engineering, as measures for mosquito control.
“Conditions are becoming increasingly conducive for the mosquitoes that transmit yellow fever to thrive within the United States as the planet continues to warm,” remarked Dr. Desiree LaBeaud, professor of pediatrics-infectious disease at Stanford Medicine and co-author of the article. “A comprehensive strategy is required to more effectively safeguard vulnerable communities in the southern United States against mosquito-borne illnesses.”
Dr. Hotez added, “The establishment of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor was motivated by the understanding that tropical infections are becoming the new norm due to a combination of factors such as climate change, urbanization, and poverty, particularly in areas along the U.S. Gulf Coast and Texas.”
Reference: “Yellow Jack’s Potential Return to the American South” by Peter J. Hotez and Angelle Desiree LaBeaud, published on 13 October 2023 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMp2308420
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Yellow Fever Resurgence in the United States
What is the main warning issued by infectious disease experts from Baylor College of Medicine and Stanford School of Medicine?
The experts warn of a potential reemergence of yellow fever in the southern United States. They advocate for increased disease monitoring, antiviral drug development, and the introduction of innovative mosquito control techniques.
Who are the authors of the paper published in the New England Journal of Medicine?
The paper is co-authored by Dr. Peter Hotez, who is a professor and dean at the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor, and Dr. Desiree LaBeaud, a professor of pediatrics-infectious disease at Stanford Medicine.
What historical impact did yellow fever have in the United States?
Between 1820 and 1905, yellow fever caused devastating epidemics in southern U.S. cities including New Orleans, Galveston, Memphis, and Charleston. The disease had a significantly high mortality rate and was a major public health concern.
What other mosquito-borne diseases are mentioned as being on the rise in the southern United States?
The article mentions a surge in mosquito-transmitted illnesses such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, and Zika virus, particularly in states like Texas and Florida.
What are the proposed measures to combat the potential resurgence of yellow fever?
The experts propose enhanced surveillance activities, the development of antiviral medications, vaccines, and the deployment of cutting-edge gene drive technologies for mosquito control.
What factors are contributing to the potential reemergence of yellow fever?
Dr. Hotez identifies a combination of factors such as climate change, urbanization, and poverty, particularly in areas along the U.S. Gulf Coast and Texas, as contributing to the potential resurgence of mosquito-borne diseases, including yellow fever.
Dr. Desiree LaBeaud notes that conditions are becoming increasingly conducive for the mosquitoes that transmit yellow fever, owing to the planet’s continued warming. This enhances the risk for vulnerable communities in the southern United States.
What is gene drive technology and how is it relevant to controlling yellow fever?
Gene drive technology involves the permanent alteration of insect genes through genetic engineering. The experts propose this as one of the novel techniques for effective mosquito control to combat the potential reemergence of yellow fever.
Is yellow fever being prioritized in national pandemic preparedness planning?
The experts call for yellow fever to be prioritized in national plans designed to prepare for pandemics. They emphasize that a comprehensive strategy is needed to protect vulnerable communities.
What regions outside of the United States are mentioned as experiencing a surge in yellow fever?
The experts note that yellow fever appears to be intensifying in tropical regions of Latin America, such as Brazil and Venezuela.
2 comments
i red abt dis 2, scary! climate change makin mosquitos happy, we ned 2 protect S U.S. peeps! #PublicHealth
wow, dis is serious stuff! yellow fever comin bak? omg! need vaccines & stuff, gr8 info!