Herpes???

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patr
Posts: 751
Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 6:42 pm
Location: Illinois

Herpes???

Post by patr »

I just ran across this article from CNN …


Researchers suspect herpes virus causing coral to disappear
Mar 30, 2012 8:39 p.m.

(CNN)—It's an important part of the marine ecosystem that's disappearing from the ocean floor, and researchers now suspect herpes may be to blame.

Microbiologists at Oregon State University recently found that some coral harbor nearly two-dozen different types of herpes.

It's not clear if the virus is actually making the coral sick, but with about a third of the world's coral being threatened with extinction, researchers say the relationship should be studied.

Scientists say the herpes viruses found in coral is similar but not identical to the virus that can infect humans.

You can read more about the study in the Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology.
Patr

~~Longing to be back on St. John~~
Jumper
Posts: 100
Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2011 8:40 am
Location: Parkton Md

Post by Jumper »

Another good reason not to lick the coral! :lol:
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pnoeric
Posts: 47
Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2011 1:18 pm
Location: St. John, USVI

Post by pnoeric »

Jumper wrote:Another good reason not to lick the coral! :lol:
lol that's hilarious ;-)

from what I remember from science class (it's been a while!), there are dozens of strains of herpes, including both human and animal forms. so I guess it's okay as long as the coral and I don't share a toilet seat... (kidding!)
Eric Mueller (& John McCann)
Last Minute Island Vacation villa rentals
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