Leukemia
Leukemia is a type of cancer that starts in the bone marrow and causes abnormal white blood cells to be produced. This abnormal white blood cell production affects other blood cells, including red blood cells and platelets, which help to clot. Leukemia can also cause anemia because there are not enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body.
Leukemia is not contagious; however, it is a severe disease that can be treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy if diagnosed early enough. The American Cancer Society estimates that 22,000 people will be diagnosed with leukemia alone. Unfortunately, this number may increase due to climate change as heat waves can make it easier for viruses like Zika virus to infect human hosts via mosquitoes or ticks.
