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."
(Score: 5, Insightful) by Covalent on Sunday February 16 2014, @03:38AM
... Cats??? Is this the Beluga's revenge for years of becoming food for people?
Seriously, though...this is just another piece of evidence that we are screwing up the planetary ecosystem. How much evidence is required for us to do something significant about it?
You can't rationally argue somebody out of a position they didn't rationally get into.
(Score: 1) by similar_name on Sunday February 16 2014, @04:18AM
"How much evidence is required for us to do something significant about it?"
'Growing oranges in Kansas' popped into my head. I just can't decide if that's evidence or the modern version of doing something significant about it.
(Score: 1) by toygeek on Sunday February 16 2014, @08:59AM
There is no Sig. Okay, maybe a short one. http://miscdotgeek.com