Virulent Newcastle Disease (vND) is a poultry disease that has not been seen in California since 2002. It has recently re-emerged and represents a serious threat to backyard and commercial flocks.
In May, two critically endangered Hawaiian monk seals were found dead on a beach on Oahu. Both were female, and one was pregnant. After performing a necropsy, veterinarians determined that both animals died of toxoplasmosis, a potentially fatal disease that originates in domestic cats.
Pet owners have lower blood pressure and less stress, and they exercise more, among other benefits. But pets can sometimes also pass on diseases. People magazine highlights how taking good care of your pet will help prevent the spread.
CDC officials, along with the FDA, are still searching for the source of E. coli-contaminated romaine lettuce, which has sickened 84 people across 19 states over the past two weeks. But in reality, we should probably be a little wary of lettuce all the time — not just when there’s a big E. coli outbreak.
