Worm that makes fish unable to swim continues to infect San Marcos, Comal rivers

kxan ^ | June 11, 2019 | Russell Falcon

[bgill]

A new invasive parasite in the San Marcos and Comal rivers is becoming a bigger and bigger problem — it infects fish and makes them unable to swim. Researchers at Texas State University have identified the Haplorchis pumilio — a worm whose larvae can cause all sorts of bodily harm to fish, including an endangered species unique to Texas springs... The source of the parasitic problem originates with an invasive Asian snail, identified by its distinctive spiral shell, which was introduced into local springs in the mid-20th Century. The likely source of the snails was aquarium dumping by local residents. This snail is known to transmit more parasitic fluke diseases than any other snail in the world. Two of these parasites now heavily infect most fish species in the San Marcos and Comal springs, including the endangered fountain darter. In Laos and Vietnam, where fish are commonly eaten raw, both parasites also cause intestinal disease in humans. "Fortunately, it is very unlikely that local humans are going to contract these parasites, because they cook their fish," Huffman said. "On the other hand, if there are cats or dogs that are visiting fish cleaning stations, then it could become a veterinary problem.

[bgill]

Asian snail = Asia, the Middle East and Australia

Once again, oh no way can it be transmitted to humans, uh huh. Problem with that is people fish and swim in those rivers. The Comal is a big draw for tubing. Humans clean raw fish and bam!

[Red Badger]

Has this writer never heard of Sushi?..................

[gundog]

So, be on the lookout for snails with spiral shells....

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks so much for your support to this point... I personally apprecaite it...
FReepers, it's far beyond time to wrap up this FReep-a-thon.  Lets do it today.  Please chip in.

President Donald J. Trump and the Free Republic of the United States of America
President Donald J. Trump's address to the United Nations on 09/19/2017.

Ramirez political cartoon:  Trump's Latest Tariff Suggestion (fictitious) LARGE VERSION 06/09/2019: LINK  LINK to regular sized versions of his political cartoons (archive).
Garrison political cartoon:  Garrison's Take on Joe Biden LARGE VERSION 06/2019: LINK  LINK (scroll down) to regular sized versions of his political cartoons (archive).

FReepers, 95.945% of the Second Quarter FReep-a-thon goal has been met.  Click above and pencil in your donation now.  Please folks, lets end this FReepathon.  Thank you!
...this is a general all-purpose message, and should not be seen as targeting any individual I am responding to...

Just $48.00 dollars to 96.00%

[blackdog]

The nastiest parasites I know of (flukes) involve aquatic snails, ant puke, the azmuth of the sun, and grazing livestock. All seemingly unrelated but are the method of transmission in a brilliant and precisely timed event, each playing their part.

[Teacher317]

Has this writer never heard of Sushi?

If you're eating sushi prepared from the catch from the local river, you have far bigger problems than potential intestinal distress.

[Red Badger]

I always get my sushi at the local gas stations............

[NorthMountain]

[NorthMountain]

[Red Badger]

I knew somebody would post that!................

[PIF]

And when swimming in said rivers, the larva would never imaging swimming up someones cavities ... no, never, can’t happen, lavas are very thoughtful, mind their own beeswax, and are otherwise polite.

[Federal46]

What a tragedy those are two of the nicest, cleanest spring-fed rivers in Texas. That’s a shame.

[mistfree]

So, how does one get rid of invasive snails? Since they are the vector, eliminate them and you eliminate the parasite.

[pepsi_junkie]

Just curious: is there any sort of plant or animal that came her from Asia that hasn’t turned into a plague on our environment?

[bgill]

Hammer or salt.

[hanamizu]

Has this writer never heard of Sushi?...

---

I don’t believe the Japanese eat uncooked fresh-water fish. Of course they had lots of experience with parasites back when they used honey-bucket fertilizer.