White pox disease

White pox disease is a disease that affects Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata), a key reef-building coral in the Caribbean Sea. It is caused by a strain of the bacterium Serratia marcescens, which is found in the intestines of humans and other animals. The disease was first identified in 1996 in the Florida Keys, and has since been found in other parts of the Caribbean.

Symptoms and Effects

White pox disease causes white patches, or "pox", to appear on the coral. These patches are areas where the coral's tissue has died, exposing the white skeleton underneath. The disease can cause a coral colony to lose up to 10 cm of growth per year, and in severe cases, can lead to the death of the coral colony.

Transmission and Spread

The bacterium that causes white pox disease is transmitted through the water, and can spread from colony to colony. It is believed that the disease may be spread by humans and other animals, through the discharge of untreated sewage into the sea. The spread of the disease has been linked to declines in Elkhorn coral populations in the Caribbean.

Prevention and Control

Preventing the spread of white pox disease involves reducing the discharge of untreated sewage into the sea, and managing human and animal waste effectively. There is currently no known cure for the disease, but research is ongoing to find ways to treat infected corals and prevent the spread of the disease.

See Also

• Coral disease
• Coral reef
• Elkhorn coral
• Serratia marcescens

References

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