Fungus-Borne Disease Threatens Lives Of Newts And Salamanders

Pet owners were warned by wildlife officials about the spread of a fungal disease that could infect and kill newts and salamanders. The disease has been known to wipe out the entire population of wild animals in the places it strikes.

The fungal disease being talked about is the salamander chytrid disease. It is caused by a fungus that can infect both salamanders and newts with almost lethal effect on the amphibians' life. The fungus, B.sal infects the skin causing wart-like lesions to grow. As the disease progresses, the animal stops eating becomes lethargic, loses control of its body movements and eventually dies.

According to Science Daily, the disease originated in Asia, and now has completely wiped out wildlife populations in parts of Europe and the United Kingdom, said Natacha Hogan, an environmental toxicologist specializing in amphibians at the University of Saskatchewan.

Tech Times has reported that Hogan strongly believes the trade of salamander as pets may be a major factor in the spread of disease. She mentioned that there are millions of creatures that have been imported to serve as pets for children. So far, there hasn't been any trace of the B.sal fungus in Canada. However, Hogan said that the U.S. government has already set strict regulations on how to handle pet trades of newts and salamander in the country.

Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC), a conservation group, helps in spreading awareness about the disease as well as other fungi-borne disease like white nose disease, which is believed to have caused the death of a large number of bats in North America and parts of Canada.

Even though Canada has only two species of newt, both found in Ontario, salamanders are more wide spread. According to Hogan, they have about 15 species across the country. Some of these, however, have small geographic range while others, like two species of tiger salamanders found in Saskatchewan, can also be found right across the Prairie Provinces, while the rest of North America still remains to be more richly endowed.

"The U.S. has among the greatest biodiversity of amphibians in the world, so this is also true of salamanders and newts," Hogan said.

The CWHC emphasizes that first line of defense starts at home to help maintain the rich natural heritage, and offers online resources for both pet owners and scientists.

"If you must keep salamanders or newts as pets, ensure they are from locations where (the fungus) is not present and only buy from reputable suppliers," the group urges in a release. "Make sure any water or cage wastes are properly disinfected with bleach before discarding them. Always seek appropriate veterinary care for sick pet salamanders and newts."

Bleach is the disinfectant of choice for biologists in the field and lab, explained Hogan. She did field work on a similar fungal disease in native frogs while at the University of Prince Edward Island. Whenever she and her colleagues left one pond to go to another, all their gear -- including gloves, boots and sampling equipment -- got doused in a 10 per cent bleach solution. They even sprayed down the tires of their vehicles as they were leaving to avoid bringing any trace of contaminated soil to the next pond.