The tourist trap Aug 12, 2009
The southern house mosquito is an important carrier of diseases such as avian malaria, avian pox and West Nile fever. Its introduction to Hawaii in the late 19th Century had a devastating effect on the islands' endemic birds. (EurekAlert!)
'Alien' Mosquitoes Threaten Galapagos Ecosystem Aug 12, 2009
Many of these will carry diseases such as avian malaria or West Nile fever, with potentially devastating consequences for the native species, including Galpagos tortoises, marine iguanas, sea lions and Darwin s finches. The animals have evolved in the absence of these diseases so they have virtually no resistance, said Simon Goodman, a geneticist from the University of Leeds who led the research. (Fox News)
Stowaway mosquitoes threaten Galapagos wildlife Aug 12, 2009
"That we haven't already seen serious disease impacts in Galapagos is probably just a matter of luck." The southern house mosquito is a carrier of diseases including avian , avian pox and West Nile fever. It was brought to Hawaii in water barrels on whaling ships, leading to diseases that are blamed for wiping out many bird species. (Scientific American)
S.D.'s West Nile case was of less-serious variety Jul 9, 2009
Posted: Thursday, July 09, 2009 SIOUX FALLS (AP) -- The lone West Nile case reported in South Dakota so far this season was less-serious West Nile fever, the state epidemiologist said Wednesday. West Nile virus affects people's nervous systems, but the less serious West Nile fever does not. (Sioux City Journal)
Wash. U. biodefense center gets $37M Jun 26, 2009
The MRCE, established in 2003, is one of 11 centers dedicated to developing new or improved ways to treat, diagnose or prevent diseases that could be use for bioterrorism, such as anthrax, or infectious diseases, like West Nile fever, plague and dengue fever. Washington University School of Medicine's 2,100 employed and volunteer faculty physicians also are the medical staff of and hospitals. (St. Louis Business Journal, MO)
Mosquito threat to Galapagos tortoise Jun 2, 2009
Increasing tourism means there is now a concern about the arrival of infected mosquitoes carrying diseases like avian malaria and West Nile fever, against which giant tortoises and marine iguanas have no immunity. Mosquitoes arrived 200,000 years ago and evolved to feed on reptiles. (BBC News -- Americas)
Mosquito Evolution Spells Trouble For Galapagos Wildlife Jun 2, 2009
Mosquitoes are known to transmit important wildlife diseases, such as avian malaria and West Nile fever. While there is no evidence that such diseases are currently present on Galapagos, the widespread presence of the mosquito, and the fact that it feeds on a broad range of the native species, means that any new disease that arrives from the continent could spread rapidly to a wide variety to wildlife throughout the islands. (Science Daily)
