Top 5 Diseases Named After Places and Their Origins
When it comes to diseases, the names are not only significant for identification but also reveal the origin and history of the respective disease. Over the years, many diseases are named after the places where they broke out for the first time, and the name stuck. Here are the top 5 diseases named after places and their origins.
1. Lyme Disease
Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection that originated from the town of Lyme in Connecticut, United States. It was first observed in the late 1970s when the town reported an unusually high number of cases of children with swollen knees and arthritic symptoms. The source of infection was traced back to tick bites, and the bacteria responsible for the disease was later identified and named after the town – Borrelia burgdorferi.
2. Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever
Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever (EHF) is a severe viral infection initially reported in 1976 in two simultaneous outbreaks in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The disease got its name from the Ebola River, which flows near one of the affected villages in the DRC. EHF can cause spontaneous bleeding, shock and, in severe cases, death. The virus responsible for the disease is known as Ebola virus.
3. Zika Virus
Zika Virus is a mosquito-borne virus that was first identified in the Zika forest of Uganda in 1947. The virus later caused a major outbreak in Brazil in 2015, leading to concerns globally because it can cause birth defects such as microcephaly, a condition where babies are born with small heads. The virus became known as the Zika virus because it was initially identified in the Zika forest.
4. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is an acute bacterial infection initially observed in the Rocky Mountains area of the United States. It is primarily spread through tick bites, and the first case was reported in Montana in the late 1800s. RMSF symptoms include fever, headache, and a distinctive spotted rash that spreads all over the body. It was named after the Rocky Mountains, which is one of the areas where the disease was first observed.
5. Legionnaires’ Disease
Legionnaires’ Disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacterium. It was named after the first outbreak observed in 1976 among attendees of the American Legion convention held at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia. Over 200 people got sick, and 34 deaths were reported. The disease was later traced back to the hotel’s air conditioning system, which had Legionella bacteria.
In conclusion, names of diseases often carry significant historical and geographical context. Many diseases in the world remain untitled. However, these diseases named after places shed light on their origin and history, and understanding them may help prevent future outbreaks.
