University of Illinois researchers investigates the unknown fungal disease that brought more than a dozen snake species dermatitis. The mysterious infection was also reported to might affect other endangered species as well.
According to Science Daily, Dr. Matt Allender teacher of veterinary clinic medicine at the university along with his colleagues are trying to crack the code about the deadly infection. The mysterious fungal disease was identified to affect more than 15 species of snakes across the United States.
The fungal disease was identified by the Illinois team to be associated with the Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola disease. The team is now in collaboration with 9 other states that aids them in diagnosing samples and developing a treatment. Their treatment process is stated to be nebulizing the snakes.
The group’s treatment method is said to be published soon in the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. However, the team’s other option for treatment of the fungal disease is using voriconizol. The antifungal drug often used in animal care was identified to worry researchers as it was mentioned to might kill healthy snakes as well.
Furthermore, BBC reported that people should be concerned about the snake infection as it damages the snake’s outer skin, it becomes yellowish or brown and breaks off. When the aforementioned happens, the snake’s raw flesh would be exposed and fungus would be spread.
Afterward, it was mentioned that as some skin disease isn’t considered deadly, the mysterious infection was considered as. The infection is expected to block out or interfere the snake’s senses, disabling it to hunt and later on might die of starvation.
Sarah Baker who collaborates with Allender also stated that they are now battling the endangered status of vipers nationwide. “Snake fungal disease is just one more threat that they have to contend with, and anything we can do -- to find effective treatments, for example, or disinfectants that stop people from spreading the disease from place to place -- could make a difference for their long-term survival," she shared.
Nonetheless, the support for the snake fungal disease research is difficult for the researchers. Being species that doesn’t have many people concern about them was pointed out to be one of the issues. Another was mentioned that the fungal disease occurs most in venomous species.
