
RFK Jr. says he suffered from a parasitic brain worm and mercury poisoning
CBSN
The campaign of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the independent running for president, confirmed Wednesday that he contracted a parasite in his brain over a decade ago.
His campaign's comment came after The New York Times reported he said in a 2012 deposition that a parasitic worm "ate a portion" of his brain and may have caused cognitive issues.
Kennedy campaign spokesperson Stefanie Spear said in a statement to CBS News that he contracted a parasite after traveling "extensively in Africa, South America and Asia as his work as an environmental advocate."

In the past year, over 135 million passengers traveled to the U.S. from other countries. To infectious disease experts, that represents 135 million chances for an outbreak to begin. To identify and stop the next potential pandemic, government disease detectives have been discreetly searching for viral pathogens in wastewater from airplanes. Experts are worried that these efforts may not be enough.