Fører Kina biologisk krig mod USA – noget kunne bestemt tyde på det !
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A fungus called Fusarium graminearum has made headlines after two
Chinese researchers were charged by the FBI for allegedly smuggling
it into the United States as a potential agroterrorism agent.
But what exactly is this fungus—and what risks does it pose to U.S.
agriculture and public health?
A Common Cause of Crop Disease
F. graminearum is a concerning fungus, as it can contribute to billions
of dollars in agricultural losses, Gary Bergstrom, professor emeritus at
Cornell University specializing in plant pathology, told The Epoch
Times.
The fungus typically infects crops during the flowering season in
rainy weather, Bergstrom said. It affects kernel development in grains
and can significantly reduce yield if not treated. It can also
contaminate crops with mycotoxins—toxins produced by fungi that
can cause poisoning in humans and livestock when they eat them.
For example, the fungus can infect corn either through the stalk or
through the top of the ear, causing “ear rot.” The infection leads to
mold growth in kernels, significantly reducing yield and producing
inedible corn.
F. graminearum releases four different mycotoxins, the most well-
known being deoxynivalenol (DON).
DON, also called vomitoxin, can induce vomiting and food poisoning-
like symptoms in humans and animals.
Another toxin is zearalenone (ZEA), which disrupts hormonal function
and may cause infertility in livestock, especially pigs.
The other two mycotoxins are nivalenol and fusarenone X, both of
which are toxic to cells and can suppress the immune system.
Poisoning in Humans Difficult to
Detect
In humans and livestock, mycotoxins from F. graminearum can cause
vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive defects.
Most research, however, has focused on animals, as it is very difficult
to detect poisoning caused by F. graminearum mycotoxins in humans.
In livestock, poisoning is typically identified by testing the feed rather
than the animal itself.
Dr. Jerrold Leikin, adjunct clinical professor in the Division of
Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences at the University of
Illinois at Chicago, said that it is practically impossible to detect F.
graminearum toxins in humans.
“It’s almost impossible to diagnose,” Leikin said. “Virtually all
hospitals don’t have the ability to diagnose this particular type of food
poisoning.”
The main concern with F. graminearum is DON.
The risk of a person being poisoned by F. graminearum products is
very low, as the FDA regulates allowable levels of DON in food.
Flour made for human consumption must not exceed DON levels of 1
ppm, while allowable levels for livestock range from 5 to 10 ppm. DON
does not break down with heat, though processing grains into flour
may remove some DON in the sample. Flour mills typically grind
incoming wheat and test for DON; if levels exceed certain thresholds,
the mill will not purchase the grain, Bergstrom said.
If a person accidentally consumes food contaminated with F.
graminearum mycotoxins and receives a high dose, treatment would
involve supportive therapy, Leikin said. This would include adequate
hydration and replenishment of electrolytes.
Preventing Introduction of Pests
For the average traveler, agricultural products are generally not
allowed to be brought into the United States under normal
circumstances. This includes fresh fruits and vegetables, certain meat
and animal products, plants and seeds, soil, and more.
Researchers, however, can apply for a permit with the USDA if they
need to import or transport such materials for research purposes.
“All of my colleagues have done this,” Bergstrom said.
Researchers must apply for a permit from the Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service to bring a strain from another state, with
more stringent requirements if it’s being imported from another
country.
The permit application typically includes details such as what is being
transported, the sender, the precautions that will be taken to contain it
in the laboratory, shipping procedures, disposal methods, safety
measures, and who will have access to the material.
“[Getting the permit] is not only a legality issue, but it’s just smart
science. It’s good science,” Bergstrom said.
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Jeg har INTET set i danske medier, men der jo også meget “vigtigere” nyheder så som at “aktivisten” Greta er blevet arresteret af den israelske flåde …
Sikke et mangel på perspektiv – men det er jo ikke noget nyt
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