Scarlet Fever

 

Scarlet fever is a bacterial infection that was once a major cause of illness and death in children. In Pocohontas County, West Virginia, the disease had a significant impact on the community in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

One of the most notable outbreaks of scarlet fever in Pocohontas County occurred in 1897. The outbreak began in the town of Durbin and quickly spread to other parts of the county. By the time the outbreak was over, an estimated 1,000 people had been infected, and 25 people had died.

The outbreak of scarlet fever in 1897 had a devastating impact on the community. Many families were forced to quarantine their children, and businesses were closed. The outbreak also led to a shortage of doctors and nurses in the county.

In the years that followed, there were several other outbreaks of scarlet fever in Pocohontas County. However, the introduction of antibiotics in the mid-20th century helped to bring the disease under control. Today, scarlet fever is a rare disease in the United States, thanks to vaccination programs.

The impact of scarlet fever on Pocohontas County was significant. The disease caused illness and death, and it disrupted the community. However, the outbreak also led to improvements in public health, such as the development of quarantine procedures and the introduction of antibiotics.

Here are some additional details about the impact of scarlet fever on Pocohontas County:

• The disease was most common among children between the ages of 5 and 15.
• The symptoms of scarlet fever include a sore throat, fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and a characteristic rash.
• The rash is red and blanching, and it typically starts on the chest and neck and spreads to the rest of the body.
• Scarlet fever can be treated with antibiotics.
• The disease is now rare in the United States, thanks to vaccination programs.