PARASITOLOGY IN CALIFORNIA. A CHANGING PICTURE OWING TO CHANGES IN POPULATION AND ENVIRONMENT.

The changing population in California produced by increased migration from other parts of the country and immigration from foreign countries, and by increased foreign travel, has altered the incidence of parasitic infections. Variations in the environment due to increased areas of land under irrigation, urbanization, industrialization, variations in the numbers of animals and insects and changing dietary habits have also effected changes. With the great influx of persons into our state, physicians should be continually aware of the influx of parasites along with them. These parasites may produce disease in the individuals, may cause small outbreaks or epidemics where environmental conditions foster the propagation of these parasites.