Dead shark had meningitis in "world's first" case

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In summary: It seems that further research is being conducted to determine the cause of this rare occurrence, and the potential impact on the species. In summary, a 100-year-old Greenland shark found washed up on a Cornish beach died of meningitis, with scientists dubbing it a "likely world's first". While its cause is still unknown, further studies are being conducted to understand the potential threats to this slow-growing species.
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TL;DR Summary
A rare Greenland shark found washed up on a Cornish beach died of meningitis, a post mortem has found.

Scientists who examined the body said the discovery was "likely a world's first".
Shark 1.jpg


A rare Greenland shark found washed up on a Cornish beach died of meningitis, a post mortem has found.
Scientists who examined the body said the discovery was "likely a world's first".
The female found just outside Newlyn Harbour in Cornwall in March is thought to be 100 years old by marine biologists.
But it is still considered a "juvenile" because Greenland sharks can live to more than 400 years old.
Scientists said there was not enough evidence to link the disease to man-made stressors, such as pollution.
Full story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-61035887

If this is a new thing for the Greenland sharks, then that could spell very bad news for them, given that they're such a slow growing species.
 
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Isopod said:
Summary:: A rare Greenland shark found washed up on a Cornish beach died of meningitis, a post mortem has found.

Scientists who examined the body said the discovery was "likely a world's first".

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A rare Greenland shark found washed up on a Cornish beach died of meningitis, a post mortem has found.
Scientists who examined the body said the discovery was "likely a world's first".
The female found just outside Newlyn Harbour in Cornwall in March is thought to be 100 years old by marine biologists.
But it is still considered a "juvenile" because Greenland sharks can live to more than 400 years old.
Scientists said there was not enough evidence to link the disease to man-made stressors, such as pollution.
Full story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-61035887

If this is a new thing for the Greenland sharks, then that could spell very bad news for them, given that they're such a slow growing species.
Very interesting!

This article expands a little, they are conducting other studies on the animal to look at plastics toxicology diet etc.

https://www.theguardian.com/environ...nded-cornwall-meningitis-death-postmortem-aoe
A quick google of the possible culprit- the article did not give the species.

“Pasteurella multocida is the cause of a range of diseases in mammals and birds, including fowl cholera in poultry, atrophic rhinitis in pigs

and hemorrhagic septicemia in wild and domestic ruminants including cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, deer and antelope.”
 
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pinball1970 said:
Very interesting!

This article expands a little, they are conducting other studies on the animal to look at plastics toxicology diet etc.

https://www.theguardian.com/environ...nded-cornwall-meningitis-death-postmortem-aoe
A quick google of the possible culprit- the article did not give the species.

“Pasteurella multocida is the cause of a range of diseases in mammals and birds, including fowl cholera in poultry, atrophic rhinitis in pigs

and hemorrhagic septicemia in wild and domestic ruminants including cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, deer and antelope.”

Thank you for that article, made for very interesting reading!
 
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1. What is meningitis?

Meningitis is a serious infection that causes inflammation of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms.

2. How common is meningitis in sharks?

Meningitis is extremely rare in sharks, and this is the first recorded case of a shark being diagnosed with the infection.

3. How was the meningitis diagnosed in the shark?

The meningitis was diagnosed through a post-mortem examination of the shark's brain tissue. The tissue showed signs of inflammation and the presence of bacteria, which is characteristic of meningitis.

4. Is this case of meningitis in a shark a cause for concern for humans?

No, the type of bacteria that caused the meningitis in the shark is not known to infect humans. This case is not a cause for concern for human health.

5. What could have caused the shark to develop meningitis?

The exact cause of the meningitis in the shark is unknown, but it is possible that the bacteria entered the shark's body through a wound or injury, or through contaminated water. Further research is needed to determine the exact cause.

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