Yellow Fever Research Paper
Running Head: FLAVIVIRUS
1
`
Flavivirus
Trey Burke
Grosse Pointe North High School
Running Head: FLAVIVIRUS
2
Abstract
There are many diseases that flood our world today. One disease in particular that has been here since early exploration has left many dead and that is the yellow fever virus.
Once
yellow fever enters your system its like a bull ride. Once you get on you better hold on for dear life because surviving yellow fever is a rough road to endure. What makes this disease so mysterious that it can cause so much destruction yet ironically it start out with just a simple bite from a mosquito.
Running Head: FLAVIVIRUS
3
Introduction
Yellow fever, “ an acute viral haemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. …show more content…
The majority of people who are infected with the disease are poor and can’t afford to pay for treatment so they eventually perish. According to World Health Organization, 50% of people who are infected with yellow fever and never get treated die. Yellow fever, although not a current major issue, has left a mark on the world and has taken millions of lives in its reign of terror.
History/Geography
Throughout history yellow fever has had multiple outbreaks across the world. The very first outbreak of yellow fever was recorded in 1648 in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico (Yellow
Fever, 2004). “In response to epidemics of yellow fever in Barbados, Cuba, and the Yucatan, a strict quarantine was established in Boston, Massachusetts, for all ships arriving from the West
Indies.” (The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, 2015). Sadly this did not stop the nationwide spread of yellow fever in America. The disease first struck Philadelphia in 1793 and lasted for about four months. “
This outbreak killed about 10% of the city 's population, and thousands more fled, including an infected Alexander Hamilton and his wife. Dr. …show more content…
More than half of the 47,000 residents of Memphis fled the city; more than 5,000 died that summer of yellow fever.” (PBS, 2006)
The first person to discover yellow was scientist Carlos Juan Finlay. The “
Cuban
epidemiologist who discovered that yellow fever is transmitted from infected to healthy humans by a mosquito .” (
The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica
, 2014) Even though he made the discovery his ideas were ignored for 20 years. His ideas were finally brought to attention by a
American physician named Walter Reed. Through many experiments Finlay’s discoveries were finally proven to be correct. This discovery led to “ William Gorgas’ eradication of the disease in Cuba and
Panama
followed. Finlay was appointed chief sanitation officer of Cuba (1902–09), and after his death the Finlay Institute for Investigations in Tropical Medicine was created in his honour by the Cuban government.” (
The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica
, 2014)
Yellow started off small but then gradually grew larger through time. Places where it is warm and tropical climate are common places where yellow fever is found. Africa is the
1
`
Flavivirus
Trey Burke
Grosse Pointe North High School
Running Head: FLAVIVIRUS
2
Abstract
There are many diseases that flood our world today. One disease in particular that has been here since early exploration has left many dead and that is the yellow fever virus.
Once
yellow fever enters your system its like a bull ride. Once you get on you better hold on for dear life because surviving yellow fever is a rough road to endure. What makes this disease so mysterious that it can cause so much destruction yet ironically it start out with just a simple bite from a mosquito.
Running Head: FLAVIVIRUS
3
Introduction
Yellow fever, “ an acute viral haemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. …show more content…
The majority of people who are infected with the disease are poor and can’t afford to pay for treatment so they eventually perish. According to World Health Organization, 50% of people who are infected with yellow fever and never get treated die. Yellow fever, although not a current major issue, has left a mark on the world and has taken millions of lives in its reign of terror.
History/Geography
Throughout history yellow fever has had multiple outbreaks across the world. The very first outbreak of yellow fever was recorded in 1648 in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico (Yellow
Fever, 2004). “In response to epidemics of yellow fever in Barbados, Cuba, and the Yucatan, a strict quarantine was established in Boston, Massachusetts, for all ships arriving from the West
Indies.” (The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, 2015). Sadly this did not stop the nationwide spread of yellow fever in America. The disease first struck Philadelphia in 1793 and lasted for about four months. “
This outbreak killed about 10% of the city 's population, and thousands more fled, including an infected Alexander Hamilton and his wife. Dr. …show more content…
More than half of the 47,000 residents of Memphis fled the city; more than 5,000 died that summer of yellow fever.” (PBS, 2006)
The first person to discover yellow was scientist Carlos Juan Finlay. The “
Cuban
epidemiologist who discovered that yellow fever is transmitted from infected to healthy humans by a mosquito .” (
The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica
, 2014) Even though he made the discovery his ideas were ignored for 20 years. His ideas were finally brought to attention by a
American physician named Walter Reed. Through many experiments Finlay’s discoveries were finally proven to be correct. This discovery led to “ William Gorgas’ eradication of the disease in Cuba and
Panama
followed. Finlay was appointed chief sanitation officer of Cuba (1902–09), and after his death the Finlay Institute for Investigations in Tropical Medicine was created in his honour by the Cuban government.” (
The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica
, 2014)
Yellow started off small but then gradually grew larger through time. Places where it is warm and tropical climate are common places where yellow fever is found. Africa is the