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Newsweek
10 hours ago
- General
- Newsweek
People in California Warned Over Parasite-Riddled Fish
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Southern Californians have been warned that more than 90 percent of popular game fish have been found to contain invasive, parasitic worms that can infect humans. Two species of the parasitic flatworms known as "trematodes" were found infecting five species of freshwater fish from San Diego County in a study by researchers from University of California, San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Infection with the worms typically causes gastrointestinal problems, lethargy and weight loss in humans—but severe cases have even been known to cause heart attack and strokes. "Americans don't usually think about parasites when they eat freshwater fish because it hasn't historically been an issue here," said paper author and ecologist Ryan Hechinger in a statement. However, he added: "These parasites are here in the U.S., and they're infecting fish that people are eating. "We hope this study can help make public health officials, doctors and the public more aware." This bluegill analyzed by the team (main) was found to contain 16,973 'Haplorchis pumilio' parasitic worms (inset) This bluegill analyzed by the team (main) was found to contain 16,973 'Haplorchis pumilio' parasitic worms (inset) Emma Palmer / Hudson Pinto In their study, the researchers sampled 84 fish—representing seven species, including largemouth bass and bluegill—from five popular fishing spots around San Diego County. The team identified two species of invasive trematode in the fish: Haplorchis pumilio and Centrocestus formosanus. H. pumilio was found in 93 percent of all fish sampled—with some individual fish harboring thousands of the parasitic worms. C. formosanus, meanwhile, occurred in 91 percent of the fish from two of the locations. Both worms are believed to have arrived in the U.S. from Southeast Asia more than a decade ago, traveling inside the bodies of one of their hosts—an invasive aquatic species known as the Malaysian trumpet snail (Melanoides tuberculata.) Today, M. tuberculata can be found in 17 states, as well as Puerto Rico—and both it and its parasites are widespread in California. The worms have a life cycle that involves living inside three hosts: first, the trumpet snail; then, a fish; and finally a warm-blooded vertebrate like birds or humans that are unlucky enough to eat the infected fish. Hechinger said there is "no need to panic," as the risk from the parasites can be neutralized by either cooking the fish or, if planning to consume them raw, freezing for at least one week beforehand. A survey of social-media videos conducted by the team alongside their field work, however, revealed that some Americans are consuming freshwater fish raw without these precautions—putting them at risk of infections. "Nearly 5 million views shows there is widespread interest and possibly a widespread practice of folks eating freshwater fish raw," said paper author and marine scientist Emma Palmer of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in a statement. Palmer conducted the research into the parasites while undertaking her graduate studies at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Stock image: A Malaysian trumpet snail ('Melanoides tuberculata') is seen on a white background. Stock image: A Malaysian trumpet snail ('Melanoides tuberculata') is seen on a white background. Marlonneke/iStock / Getty Images Plus It is unclear what impact the invasive worms might be having on the fish connoisseurs of Southern California, the researchers said. "There haven't been any reported cases of these parasites infecting Americans, but nobody is looking for cases, and doctors aren't required to report them," said Hechinger. He added: "This kind of research is so important to identifying new public health threats." Based on their findings, to better track the parasites, the researchers have recommended that these fish-borne worm infections be added to the list of diseases that doctors are required to report to public-health officials. Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about astronomy? Let us know via science@ Reference Palmer, E. M., Metz, D.C.G., & Hechinger, R. F. (2025). Further Evidence for Plausible Transmission of Fishborne Trematodiases in the United States: Game Fish Carry Human-Infectious Trematodes and Are Eaten Raw. The Journal of Infectious Diseases.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Family likely infected with fungal disease after bat-filled cave tour: CDC
(NewsNation) — Twelve of 13 members of one family fell ill upon returning to the United States from a Costa Rica trip in late December. A bat-filled cave could be the culprit for the mystery sickness. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report published May 15 found confirmed or likely cases of histoplasmosis, a fungal infection primarily in the lungs, and linked the group's exposure to a bat-colonized cave the family visited on Dec. 24. The group had toured the Venado Caves, a popular tourist destination previously linked to a histoplasmosis outbreak. Histoplasmosis is caused by organisms often found in contaminated soil. 'All reported seeing bats and having direct contact with bat droppings while crawling and squeezing through tight spaces in the cave,' the report said of the likely source of exposure. Man explains first year of life with brain chip The lone family member to not get sick did not tour the cave. The report said, 'No other activities reported before, during, or after the trip were associated with known risk for exposure to Histoplasma species.' The infected individuals, including six adults and six children, returned to Georgia, Texas, and Washington on Dec. 28. According to the CDC, symptoms typically appear three to 17 days after exposure and include fever, cough, fatigue, chills, headache, chest pain, and body aches. Histoplasmosis is similar to other lung infections, or pneumonias. On Jan. 17, an infectious disease doctor in Georgia notified the CDC of suspected histoplasmosis cases. The CDC launched an investigation four days later. 'My embryo's a little fighter;' IVF patients thank heroes after California bombing The CDC warned, 'Persons who have already visited Venado Caves might have been exposed to H. capsulatum, and exposure among visitors might be ongoing.' The agency has been working with the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica and the Costa Rica Ministry of Health to include risks of contracting the disease in cave tour waiver forms. The site was also linked to a 51-person outbreak in 1998 and 1999. The U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica also issued a health alert to the public in March during its investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
VT Governor calls for action on housing legislation
MONTPELIER, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) – Vermont Governor Phil Scott issued a statement Friday that criticized the state legislature for its slow progress on passing housing bills. He wrote, 'As the legislative session comes to a close, I'm concerned we have not done nearly enough on housing. With 41,000 more homes needed by 2030 (just to catch up) we cannot afford to kick the can down the road again.' The state legislature is currently considering Senate Bill 127 and House Bill 479. Both bills include measures meant to incentivize new construction, such as a $15,000 grant to build a house foundation in an existing empty lot. The two bills differ on some details and would need to be reconciled in order to be sent to the governor's desk; for example, H. 479 allows municipalities to impose a one percent tax on short-term rentals. Shopping for a home in Vermont? How to gain an edge in a sellers' market The governor released the statement shortly after the Vermont House held an all-house caucus on S. 127 Friday morning. According to the RE/MAX national housing report released last month, Burlington, which is Vermont's largest housing market, saw a 22% increase in median house prices year-over-year, the biggest increase out of any of the metro areas surveyed. Governor Scott has promoted options such as extending exemptions to Act 250, which allow for a quicker path to building new housing in areas already deemed to have sufficient infrastructure, and modifying the tax increment financing, or TIF program, so that smaller towns can make use of it to make improvements to an area and then pay back debt later. A proposal to expand it 'would help finance essential infrastructure, like water, sewer, and roads, to enable new housing,' according to Brett Long of the Vermont Department of Economic Development. To address housing crunch, UVM will build apartments for upperclassmen 'Vermonters across the state are impacted by a lack of housing options – from renters, to first time homebuyers, and retirees looking to downsize,' wrote Governor Scott. 'Last session, the Legislature passed 70 bills in three days, so I'm confident there is still time to pass a housing bill that actually helps Vermont, because without action, we will fall further behind.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
NBFGR releases fingerlings of newly identified yellow catfish into Chalakudy river
Kochi: National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources ( NBFGR ), Kochi, successfully released advanced fingerlings of a newly identified yellow catfish species, Horabagrus obscurus , (over five inches) into Chalakudy river . Fishlings were released near Vettilappara and aim to restore the species in its natural environment and boost its population in the river species was recently discovered by NBFGR researchers in the river. It is a unique yellow catfish distinguished by its greenish-brown mottled appearance, slim build, shorter barbels and a smaller humeral spot. This remarkable fish can reach a length of 408mm and potentially weigh over 2kg. Recognizing its distinct features and ecological and economic significance, Peninsular Aquatic Genetics Resources (PAGR) centre in NBFGR developed a successful breeding method for the ranching initiative was launched by CMFRI director Grinson George, who spoke on the importance of ranching and reintroducing native species that are non-disruptive to ecosystem. NBFGR director Kajal Chakravarthy said that Chalakudy river is the sole habitat for all three species of Horabagrus genus. PAGR team has now successfully bred and released all three species, including black-collared yellow catfish (H. nigricollaris) and yellow catfish (H. brachysoma), last year. He emphasized the need to study long-term effects of these ranching a related initiative to improve local community livelihoods, fishing equipment was distributed to tribespeople from Mukkumpuzha Unnathi of Athiramapally panchayat. Under the tribal sub-plan project, 20 fishermen received essential fishing gear, including gill nets, fish and net carry bags, and headlamps to enhance their fishing skills and contribute to their economic welfare.
Reuters
25-04-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Testing turmoil: the legal and business implications of inconsistent cannabis testing standards
April 25, 2025 - Cannabis businesses operating in state-legal markets face a patchwork of testing requirements that vary from one jurisdiction to another. In the absence of federal oversight, each state has developed its own testing rules, including for licensing labs, required contaminants to test for, sampling procedures, and allowable remediation of contaminated products. This lack of uniformity not only complicates compliance for multistate operators, but also creates risks of inconsistent results, recalls, and financial losses for businesses playing by the rules. Every cannabis product offered for sale must be tested for quality. This article explores the current landscape of cannabis testing standards across the U.S. as well as real-world challenges stemming from these inconsistencies. (For a comprehensive discussion and comparison of state-by-state cannabis testing standards and requirements, see Balducci, A., Krug, H., & Turcott, B. (n.d.). § 17:5 Cannabis Testing Requirements. In "Cannabis Law Deskbook" (2024-2025 ed.), Thomson Reuters.) The patchwork of state cannabis testing standards Licensing, accreditation, and standardized testing methods In the U.S., any laboratory that tests cannabis must be authorized at the state level to do so, but states differ in how they license or certify testing labs. Most legalized states require labs to obtain a special cannabis testing license or certification from the state regulator. See e.g. Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. §44-10-305(2)(a). Separately, testing laboratories must also be accredited, meaning they have the necessary expertise, equipment, and processes to accurately test samples of cannabis. Lab accreditation requirements also vary by state, but many states require accreditation consistent with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), while others allow or mandate state-equivalent alternatives to ISO accreditation. Underpinning many of the inconsistencies discussed in this article is the fact that there are no universally accepted testing methods for cannabis. Unlike pharmaceuticals or food, which have federal standards and methods, cannabis testing has emerged ad hoc on a state-by-state basis. Labs in different states often develop their own in-house methods to meet the state's required tests. While these methods must be validated by the lab for accuracy and reliability, they might not be consistent from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Without standard methods, results can vary and are hard to compare directly. Testing requirements Perhaps the most challenging inconsistencies lie in what labs must test for. Every legal-cannabis state requires quality assurance testing, but the panel of required tests and acceptable limits for contaminants vary. Microbiological contaminants (mold, bacteria, etc.) are a prime example. Some states set strict zero-tolerance policies for certain pathogens, while others allow up to a certain colony count. Requirements for chemical contaminants also vary by state. Take pesticides: Some states have comprehensive pesticide screenings with zero tolerance for any detectable residue of banned pesticides, while others are less strict. Most states fall somewhere in between by mandating pesticide testing but allowing a passing result if pesticide traces are below certain thresholds, which can differ by the pesticide. The same is true for Heavy metal testing. Nearly all major markets test for metals like arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury in cannabis, but some states also require labs to check for additional metals — including chromium and nickel. Finally, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) potency testing is the most consistent across the U.S. — most, if not all legal markets require labs to measure the cannabinoid content, especially THC, of products for labeling. However, even here, nuanced differences exist. States define and calculate "Total THC" differently and may require reporting of additional cannabinoids beyond THC and Cannabidiol (CBD). Most commonly, labs must report at least the levels of Delta-9 THC, THCA, CBD, and CBDA. Some states want more, including, for example, testing for Cannabinol (CBN) and Cannabigerol (CBG). See e.g., 4 Cal. Code Regs. §15724(a). In addition, some states are now explicitly targeting THC isomers, like Delta-8 THC. Required testing also depends, in many cases, on the type of product. States often categorize cannabis into usable flower, concentrates, edibles, topicals, etc., and impose different tests or limits accordingly. Generally, cannabis flower (i.e. usable cannabis) faces the broadest array of tests (microbials, pesticides, heavy metals, moisture content, etc.), whereas extracts and infused products might have modified requirements. For example, highly processed products like concentrates could be subject to additional residual solvent testing to ensure no dangerous solvents remain from extraction. On the other hand, because the extraction process can mitigate some contaminants, a few states relax microbial testing for concentrates. The rationale is that certain contaminants (like bacteria and molds) are less likely in products that have been distilled or processed, whereas chemical contaminants (like pesticides or solvents) might be more concentrated. For edibles, beverages, and topicals (all products made by infusing cannabis extracts into foods, drinks, lotions, etc.), states again diverge. Some states reason that if the cannabis oil used in an edible passed all required testing, the final product does not need to be re-tested, but other states disagree. Homogeneity testing is another common requirement, which ensures that THC (and other cannabinoids) are evenly distributed in infused products so that each bite or serving has a consistent dose. Methods and standards for homogeneity testing, of course, also vary by state. Sampling, lab shopping, and decontamination and remediation protocols Inconsistent standards are not limited to licensing and accreditation, or which tests are run — they also extend to how samples are collected and what can be done if a batch fails testing. Sampling is the process of taking a representative portion of a batch of cannabis or cannabis product to send to the lab for testing. Some states rely on the licensee to collect and submit samples, while others insist that the lab (or a neutral third party) collect the sample to prevent any tampering. See e.g. Wash. Rev. Code Ann. §69.50.348(1); 8 Ill. Admin. Code §1300.700. There are also differences in sample size: some states specify that a certain percentage of the batch's weight must be sampled for testing, while other states have tiered sampling guidelines (e.g. X grams per pound up to a maximum, etc.). See e.g., Mich. Admin. Code r. 420.304(2)(b); Wash. Admin. Code 314-55-101(3). These varied approaches mean that the integrity and representativeness of samples can differ drastically between jurisdictions. In addition, some operators engage in what is commonly referred to as lab shopping, where they seek out testing labs that will yield favorable results, potentially including overlooking contaminants or inflating THC levels. If a batch fails required testing, what happens next is also state-dependent. In some states, a failed batch might have to be destroyed or recalled outright, especially for certain contaminants like banned pesticides. However, some states allow various forms of decontamination and/or remediation — attempts to cleanse or process the product to eliminate the contaminants — followed by re-testing. Why it matters: business challenges stemming from inconsistent testing standards For cannabis businesses operating in good faith, the inconsistent testing landscape isn't just an academic headache — it can translate into severe operational and financial challenges. Companies can incur massive financial losses from recalls or halted operations, face lawsuits or regulatory penalties, and suffer damage to their brand when a safety issue arises, even if that issue is partly due to differing standards or lab practices outside the company's control. The result is that, in states across the U.S., product recalls have become common — a symptom of the trial-and-error nature of evolving regulations. Perhaps the starkest example came out of Michigan in late 2021, when state regulators issued what was then the state's largest ever cannabis product recall. The Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency (now renamed as the Cannabis Regulatory Agency) suddenly recalled all products tested over a three-month period by a major lab, questioning the reliability of its results. Over 400 retail locations were affected and an estimated $229 million worth of cannabis had to be taken off the shelves. Businesses that had already cleared those products through required testing were blindsided — they had followed the rules yet now faced millions in losses and disruption. The lab in question (Viridis Laboratories) vehemently disputed the recall and sued the state, arguing the science didn't justify such a broad action. As of January 2024, most of those lawsuits had been dismissed. See Burns, "Judge tosses lawsuits stemming from Michigan's largest-ever marijuana recall," (Jan. 16, 2024). Cannabis is at a regulatory crossroads — businesses and consumers cannot afford to wait for full federal legalization to see improvements in testing consistency. The time is ripe for state regulators, industry leaders, and standards bodies to implement a more unified framework. Such a framework should include a set of minimum testing requirements every state agrees to enforce, covering key safety tests for contaminants with science-based limits, standardized method recommendations, and reciprocity in accepting test data for multi-state operations. Ultimately, greater uniformity in testing standards benefits everyone: Regulators can more easily trust results, labs can operate with clearer benchmarks, businesses have more predictability and less waste, and consumers get a more consistent level of safety and quality assurance. Jean Smith-Gonnell is a regular contributing columnist on legal issues concerning cannabis for Reuters Legal News and Westlaw Today.
