Science, Space and Technology News 2024
Researchers at Kyushu University discovered that blowflies in southern Japan carry the bird flu virus, potentially introducing a new route of transmission. Their findings, which highlight the significant implications for poultry farming and public health, suggest that controlling these insects could be crucial in preventing further outbreaks.
In winter, thousands of cranes migrate to Izumi city in Southern Japan. During winter 2022-2023, 1600 cranes out of colony of 10000 cranes died from bird flu. Credit: Ryosuke Fujita, Kyushu University The researchers collected 648 blowflies and discovered that 14 blowflies were carrying the bird flu virus. The majority of virus-positive blowflies were collected from the sample site closest to the crane colony. “While 14 blowflies may seem like a low number, this represents a prevalence in blowflies of 2.2%, which is a huge percentage compared to other diseases spread by insects,” explains Fujita.
In Japan, where farmers often use closed farming systems instead of open spaces to control infections and maximize production, countermeasures aimed at eliminating blowflies could be implemented fairly easily, helping to protect farmers from severe financial damage.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Urgent action needed as malaria evolves resistance to key drugMalaria parasites that can shrug off the effects of artemisinin are now well-established in East Africa.
Read more »
Lawmakers seek high-tech countermeasures to curb drones smuggling cartel drugs, weaponsThwarting the Mexican cartels' fleet of drones bringing drugs and weapons over the U.S. southern border was of chief concern Tuesday to a bipartisan group of Capitol Hill lawmakers.
Read more »
Walters: California’s voters face competing ballot measures as interest groups clashProposing new laws by ballot has become a powerful policymaking tool, prompting countermeasures to combat them.
Read more »
What’s behind new combined urgent care-ER facilitiesSome hospitals are partnering with a private equity-backed company on combined emergency and urgent care. Doctors decide whether to bill at the higher, ER rate.
Read more »
Auburn bus stop shooting, youth violence prompts urgent community meetingThe city of Auburn held an urgent community meeting on Thursday after a string of violent crimes committed by youth, including a bus stop shootout that left 100 shell casings.
Read more »
Live blog: UN envoy calls for urgent de-escalation in Middle East tensionsIsrael's genocidal war on Gaza, now in its 301st day, has killed at least 39,480 Palestinians — mostly women and children — and wounded 91,128 others, with 10,000+ estimated to be buried under debris of bombed homes.
Read more »