The recent new Guinea Flatworm poses many health risks to the citizens of Florida and other southern states. This new worm was first found last year in Miami, Florida. Over the past year, the worm has slowly migrated north. The New Guinea Flatworm, by itself, does not pose many health threats to humans, however it is a vector for dangerous parasites. The New Guinea Flatworm is a host for the nematode, know as the Rat Lungworm. This parasite causes heavy coughing among individuals that have been affected.
This article was good at explaining how the flatworm parasite affects humans.
Graham, Karen. "Deadly Invasive New Guinea Flatworm Spreading in Florida." Digital Journal: A Global Digital Media Network. N.p., 30 July 2016. Web. 17 June 2017.
It is very interesting that the flatworms themselves don't cause harm, it is the parasite that causes the harm. It is frightening that Guinea Flatworms are migrating north. Hopefully they don't come to Massachusetts.
ReplyDeleteIs there any known way to exterminate the Flatworms that carry them or the parasites themselves?
ReplyDeleteIt's a little disconcerting that there is not more publicity about these sort of parasites. It is also interesting that they are trying to collect them rather than combat them. Is there an effective treatment?
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