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Liver Fluke

All articles tagged with #liver fluke

health-environment1 year ago•3 min saved

"Deadly Dog-Killing Parasite Spreading in U.S. West: California's First Case"

Scientists at the University of California Riverside have discovered dog-killing worms, known as liver fluke, in Southern California for the first time. The worms, transmitted by snails along the Colorado Riverbed, can cause canine schistosomiasis and were previously only found in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. The discovery suggests a broader expansion of the parasite than previously known, raising concerns for pet owners and public health officials. The worms can be fatal to dogs and have been linked to 11 cases of canine schistosomiasis in the region. While the parasite is not known to cause disease in humans, precautions are advised for pet owners, including fecal testing and close monitoring by a veterinarian.

via Daily Mail|

#california #colorado-river #dog-killing-worms

health1 year ago•4 min saved

Deadly Dog-Killing Parasite Spreads in California

A deadly parasite known as Heterobilharzia americana, or liver fluke, has been discovered in the Colorado River at the California-Arizona border town of Blythe, marking its first recorded appearance in the area. The parasite has infected 11 dogs from Los Angeles, Riverside, and Orange counties, causing symptoms such as loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss. While the disease cannot be transmitted between dogs and humans, it poses a threat to dogs who swim in contaminated waters. Researchers are working to raise awareness and identify the signs of infection in dogs.

via Los Angeles Times|

#california #colorado-river #dogs

biology2 years ago•4 min saved

"Dawn and Dusk: When Ants Fall Victim to Brain-Altering Parasites"

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have discovered that the lancet liver fluke, a parasitic flatworm, can control the behavior of ants it infects in a more sophisticated way than previously believed. The parasite manipulates the ants to climb up blades of grass during cool morning and evening hours, making them more likely to be eaten by grazers. The researchers found that temperature plays a crucial role in the parasite's control over the ants, with the infected ants clinging to the grass when it's cool and crawling back down when it gets hot. This study sheds light on the influence of parasites on animal behavior and highlights the importance of understanding this hidden world of creatures.

via EurekAlert|

#ants #biology #brain-altering