More rain ; more virus ?
Submitted by admin on Fri, 04/29/2011 - 15:35
Precipitation levels and species biodiversity may affect humans' exposure to zoonotic diseases (those carried by other animals) reports a new Nature article. It seems Hantavirus, which is carried by wild rodents, especially deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus, pictured), causes severe lung disease in humans.
Nature 472, 7344 (2011). doi:10.1038/472392a