Rats have been seen as filthy disease-spreaders since at least the time of the plague, but new research shows that rodents and other city-dwelling animals are less likely to cause the next pandemic than previously thought.
Rats have been seen as filthy disease-spreaders since at least the time of the plague, but new research shows that rodents and other city-dwelling animals are less likely to cause the nextResearchers at Georgetown University in Washington DC studied data on about nearly 3,000 mammals, expecting to find that those living in urban environments hosted moreThey found that urban animals did in fact carry 10 times as many kinds of disease – but also that more than 100 times as many studies had been...
However,"it's still not a good idea to get too close and friendly to urban wildlife," said Greg Albery, a disease ecologist who led the study published in the"These urban animals are unlikely to be the source of the next 'Disease X', but they're still often a source of well-known important diseases," he told AFP, giving the example of leptospirosis, a bacterial disease commonly spread by rats.
Jonathan Richardson, a professor of urban ecology at the University of Richmond, said it was an important study because the authors"rightfully highlight the over-representation of data coming from urban mammal research".
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Hundreds rally in New York City for abortion rightsFoley Square is home to several federal and state government buildings, including courthouses. That is where hundreds of activists gathered to protest.
Read more »
Victim, suspect identified in fatal Salt Lake City hit-and-runOne person was killed and a child injured during a hit-and-run incident in Salt Lake City on Tuesday.
Read more »
New York City helps quadruple amputee, Army veteran Travis Mills celebrate 10th 'Alive Day'There was a special welcome Tuesday in Times Square for MilitaryAppreciationMonth.
Read more »
Supporters of Abortion Rights March Through Center CitySupporters of abortion rights are marching through Center City to protest a leaked draft opinion suggesting the U.S. Supreme Court could be poised to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide.
Read more »
Tucson officials look to unite city against traffic deathsTucson roads can be deadly; more than 80 people have died on Tucson roads since 2019. The City of Tucson discussed a new project Monday called Vision Zero which requires a city to make a public stance against fatalities or severe injuries.
Read more »
Suspect in deadly stabbing at West Valley City apartment complex arrestedWest Valley City Police have arrested the suspect in a deadly stabbing at an apartment complex Saturday night.
Read more »