THE GUARDIAN has a recent article, and a pilot study indicates that hookworm may be rampant in the USA again. Hookworm is a parasite that thrives with extreme poverty around raw sewage in the Third World; it was believed eradicated in the USA decades ago.
I myself have assumed hookworm was never found in the USA now.
Hookworm typically enters through the soles of bare feet, and travels around the body until it attaches itself to the small intestine where it proceeds to suck the blood of its host. It makes you tired and thin, and causes impaired mental function. It was largely responsible for the American stereotype of the lazy, stupid and lethargic southern white trash, as well as African Americans.
The study, the first of its kind in modern times, was carried out in rural Alabama by Baylor College of Medicine. The next step is to check out their estimate that as many as 12 million Americans could be infected.
So here we are...the richest nation on Earth...unless you are among the growing multitudes of the poor....good for The Guardian, I am impressed by them more and more!
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/sep/05/hookworm-lowndes-county-alabama-water-waste-treatment-poverty