Sunday, 14 November 2021

Deer, Me?

A new Covid19 problem is becoming very evident in the USA. Studies have found a high incidence of the viral infection in some wild deer populations (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/11/us-covid-wildlife-virus). The deer appear to have contracted the virus from humans. Once in the deer populations, the virus seems to be rapidly transmitted throughout herds. In Iowa, for example, at any one time, 30% of deer were infected with Covid19 (the figure was 80% at its peak). This finding confirms that wild animal infections can serve as reservoirs for the virus. This could make elimination of the virus, next to impossible. New variants of the virus may also arise in infected animals. Variants may prove very problematic if (or when?) humans become reinfected.
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Seeing the Changes 2151

In Bynea, Black medick ( Medicago lupulina ) and Cultivated apple ( Malus domestica ) were both in bloom.

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