Research suggests that the deadly infection known as louse-borne relapsing fever (LBRF), caused by the bacterium Borrelia recurrentis, may have emerged around 5,000 years ago, coinciding with the advent of wool textiles. As people began to domesticate sheep, the popularity of wool garments created favorable conditions for body lice, which are responsible for spreading LBRF. While now primarily found in parts of Africa, evidence indicates that LBRF was likely more common in history. A recent study identified ancient B. recurrentis genomes, highlighting the interplay between ancient human practices and infectious disease evolution.
"The divergence of Borrelia recurrentis from its tick-borne relatives coincides with the domestication of sheep and increasing wool usage, highlighting an unforeseen link between fashion and disease emergence."
"Louse-borne relapsing fever thrived particularly in disaster conditions, as evidenced by its ongoing impact in regions like Ethiopia, Somalia, and Sudan, illustrating how socio-economic factors can influence disease propagation."
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