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> January 28, 2000:
Hour One: Animal Illnesses
Scientists reported last week that diseases among animals may be on the rise. Habitat changes, climate changes, and increased contact between wildlife and domesticated animals all seem to be contributing to the uptick in animal illness -- but, the authors of the article in Science magazine say, people aren't paying enough attention to the threat this problem may pose. | In addition to putting additional stress on already threatened wildlife, animal diseases sometimes can -- and do -- cross over into humans. In the past year, researchers announced that they believe they have evidence that the HIV virus may have originally been passed to humans slaughtering chimpanzees for food. Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness harbored by white-footed mice, is on the rise. Nipah virus, thought to have originated in pig populations in Asia, killed over a hundred people in Malaysia last year. And the outbreak of West Nile virus among bird populations in the northeastern U.S. has been listed as the cause of over a dozen human deaths as well. | 
Ebola virus may have originated in
another animal host. (CDC image) | What are the risks to humans, and is there anything that we can do to reduce the threat from these animal diseases? In this hour of Science Friday, we'll take a look at increase in animal diseases, the causes for the increase, and what it all means. We'll also find out about a newly discovered virus that may be linked to deaths of several marine mammals, including whales and dolphins. Call in with your questions, comments, and concerns, on this hour of Science Friday.
Guests:
Peter Daszak
Disease Ecologist
Institute of Ecology
University of Georgia
Athens, GA
Jeffrey Taubenberger
Chief, Division of Molecular Pathology
Armed Forces Institute of Pathology
Washington, D.C.
C.J. Peters
Chief, Special Pathogens Branch
Centers for Disease Control
Atlanta, Georgia
Books/Articles Discussed:
Related Links:
- CDC Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases: Lyme Disease: Introduction
CDC: Arboviral Encephalitis
"Virtual" Veterinary Center - Martindale's Health Science Guide
Veterinary Medical Database
APHIS Web--Tour--Animal Diseases
Wildlife Disease Fact Sheets
Animal Diseases This segment produced by:
Karin Vergoth
Web producer:
Charles Bergquist
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