Scientists have warned people not to eat food that has been left out at picnics to reduce their risk of contracting illness.
New research published in Scientific Reports shows that two common flies—houseflies and blowflies—are capable of carrying hundreds of different bacteria—a good portion of which are harmful to humans.
The study, launched at Penn State Eberly College of Science in the United States, examined microbiomes on 116 houseflies and blowflies from three different continents.
The results support a long-suspected view that flies contribute to the rapid spread of pathogens during the outbreak of a disease among humans.
“We believe that this may show a mechanism for pathogen transmission that has been overlooked by public health officials,” said Donald Bryant, Ernest C Pollard Professor of Biotechnology at Penn State University.
Scientists also investigated the microbes on individual fly body parts including legs and wings, according to Stephan Schuster, research director at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
A fly’s legs appear to transfer the most microbial content from one surface to another, he said.
Flies probably pick up the bacteria from faeces and decaying organic matter which they use to nurture their young, the study indicated.
Scientists found 15 instances of the human pathogen Helicobacter pylori — which causes ulcers in the human gut — on Brazilian blowflies.
“It will really make you think twice about eating that potato salad that’s been sitting out at your next picnic,” Mr Bryant said. “It might be better to have that picnic in the woods, far away from urban environments, not a central park.”
The study did suggest, however, that flies could help human society by serving as living “drones” or acting as early warning systems for disease.
The British Journal Editors and Wire Services
Is Planet X real? Video shows ‘fireball falling from Nibiru as it nears Earth’
Mysterious loud booms heard across the world in 64 locations
Researchers discover 800-year-old ‘alien mobile phone’ in Austria
Circumcision not associated with penis sensitivity, research finds
Alien Signal Detected: Six more deep space radio bursts picked up
Eating Cheese Can Make Your Wine Taste Better, Says New Research
Carbon Released by Warming Soils Could Trigger a Disastrous Feedback Loop (research)
Diabetes, high BMI cause nearly 6 Percent of cancers worldwide
Researchers find living bacteria from outer space on ISS satellite’s surface
Stow woman, 21, dies after car careers off road near golf course
Kirsty Clark: Mum investigated over child abuse after her baby sucked his own arm
Light pollution is the major cause of concern globally, says new research
Asa Hutchinson, 21, a British woman could be jailed in Dubai after witnessing an argument between some of her friends and a drunk Swedish man in a hotel lobby....
Copyright © 2017 The British Journal
0 comments