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Overview
Hookworm
is an intestinal parasite of humans that usually causes mild diarrhea or cramps. Heavy
infection with hookworm can create serious health problems for newborns, children,
pregnant women, and persons who are malnourished. Hookworm infections occur mostly
in tropical and subtropical climates and are estimated to infect about 1 billion
people -- about one-fifth of the world's population. One
of the most common species, Ancylostoma duodenale, is found in southern Europe,
northern Africa, northern Asia, and parts of South America. A second species,
Necator americanus was widespread in the southeastern United States early in this
century.
The Rockefeller Sanitary Commission was founded in response, and hookworm infection
has been largely controlled. <<back |