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Whales Infected by Toxoplasma

posted by Cactus on Sunday February 16 2014, @02:56AM   Printer-friendly
from the delicious-exotic-meats dept.
Appalbarry writes:

Inuit whalers are being warned away from eating raw meat (muktuk) from Beluga whales after researchers at the University of British Columbia's Marine Mammal Research Unit identified infection in whales by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii.

Toxoplasma is usually identified as being carried by cats and is often cited as a reason why pregnant women should not clean out litter boxes. According to the CDC, effects of toxoplasmosis related illness can range from "flu-like symptoms" to "causing damage to the brain, eyes, or other organs".

Speculation is that the rising temperatures in the Arctic are allowing new pathogens to spread to the North. "Ice is a significant ecological barrier and it influences the way in which pathogens can be transmitted in nature and your risk of exposure" said molecular parasitologist Michael Grigg. "What we're finding with the changes ongoing in the Arctic is that we're getting new pathogens emerging to cause diseases in the region that haven't been there before."

 
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  • (Score: 5, Funny) by EvilOverlord on Sunday February 16 2014, @03:36AM

    by EvilOverlord (23) on Sunday February 16 2014, @03:36AM (#192) Journal
    lol! I love it. Keep up the good work!
    Starting Score:    1  point
    Moderation   +4  
       Interesting=1, Informative=1, Funny=2, Total=4
    Extra 'Funny' Modifier   0  
    Total Score:   5  

  • (Score: -1, Troll) by NCommander on Sunday February 16 2014, @04:10AM

    by NCommander (2) Subscriber Badge <michael@casadevall.pro> on Sunday February 16 2014, @04:10AM (#197) Homepage Journal
    Test post to make sure mod points go away WHEN you post.
    --
    Still always moving

    • (Score: 2, Funny) by mattie_p on Sunday February 16 2014, @08:13AM

      by mattie_p (13) on Sunday February 16 2014, @08:13AM (#228) Journal

      Wow, so someone downmodded our lead developer? Baller.

      Also, I'd totally eat raw whale meat, once.