The United Kingdom is now facing a "Victorian" disease epidemic, revealing that several ancient diseases have not been eliminated in developed countries. Cases of cholera, scarlet fever, scurvy, tuberculosis, and whooping cough are rising quickly. Experts believe some of the main causes could be malnutrition, poverty, lack of health care, and immigration.
The UK's National Health Service (NHS) has reported that the number of cases of various Victorian diseases has spiked in recent years. They include increases last year in scarlet fever (136 percent increase), cholera (300 percent increase in five years), and scurvy (38 percent increase).
One of the most surprising figures is for tuberculosis. It has caused more global deaths during this year than the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), according to Pulse Headlines.
The World Health Organization's (WHO) Director-General Margaret Chan shared that developments in TB control have helped to save several lives. However, countries must invest in research in order to end the global epidemic.
British experts spotlight the country's recent spike in malnutrition. The number of malnourished patients admitted to hospitals has doubled in the past three years.
Trussell Trust chairman Chris Mould reported that families across the UK are struggling to feed their families, and in extreme cases people are malnourished, according to Uncover Michigan. The non-governmental organization (NGO) coordinates various food banks throughout the nation.
Another key factor is a lack of vaccinations. Many Britons avoid getting certain vaccines because they believe particular "Victorian" infectious diseases do not exist in the modern world.