Outbreak

Japanese encephalitis outbreak in Australia blamed on climate change

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By Alice Klein A Culex mosquito, the genus that can spread Japanese encephalitis Konstantin Nechaev / Alamy Australia is grappling with its first major outbreak of Japanese encephalitis, a viral disease that has already killed two people. The mosquito-transmitted infection is typically found in rural regions of Asia, but climate change is thought to have … Read more

Wild boars: African swine fever outbreak led to more oak trees in Polish forest

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An outbreak of African swine fever in 2015 reduced the wild boar population by 90 per cent in Białowieża primeval forest, so more acorns grew into trees Life 2 March 2022 By Jason Arunn Murugesu Oak trees in Białowieża forest, Poland Aleksander Bolbot / Alamy An outbreak of African swine fever led to the growth … Read more

How Sneezing Hamsters Sparked a COVID Outbreak in Hong Kong

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Pet hamsters probably carried the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 into Hong Kong and sparked a human COVID-19 outbreak, according to a genomic analysis of viral samples from the rodents. The research confirms earlier fears that a pet shop was the source of the outbreak, which has so far infected about 50 people and led to … Read more

Rare December Tornado Outbreak Was a ‘Worst-Case Scenario’

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The tornado outbreak that likely killed more than 100 people over the weekend was an anomaly in every way possible. The deaths were concentrated in a state—Kentucky—that has been relatively unscathed by tornadoes and tornado fatalities. The outbreak hit during a month when tornadoes are least likely to occur. And it struck at night, when … Read more