Showing posts with label Infection. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Infection. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

Racine Zoo mourns loss of 5-year-old African penguin Nelson

From The Journal Times.com:

Milana Doné

Nelson, an African penguin at the Racine Zoo, passed away June 3 following a terminal illness. 


RACINE — Nelson, a 5-year-old African penguin who was born at The Racine Zoo on March 6, 2021, and could be recognized by his orange band and hunched back, has died.

Two days after Nelson hatched, he was joined by his twin brother, Ozzy, according to a news release from the zoo.

The zoo described them as a sweet, chaotic pair that sought love, attention and trouble. The penguins continued to recognize each other as brothers even as they grew into adulthood.

When Nelson was a chick, he developed a spinal infection that impacted the growth of his spine and resulted in a hunched posture, the zoo said. Although medical intervention was able to cure his infection, the shape of Nelson’s spine was permanent.

Nelson was able to do everything a normal penguin would, and the zoo prioritized a happy, healthy and comfortable life through special veterinary care, such as acupuncture treatments.

According to the zoo, Nelson formed more of a bonded relationship with hiskeepers than any of the other penguins. He clung to their shoes and responded to scratches with his own “preening” of the keepers’ fingers.

The zoo said animal care staff recently noticed changes in Nelson’s behavior and appetite that indicated something was wrong.

After exams determined a terminal illness, staff considered quality of life and declining condition. Nelson was euthanized June 3 surrounded by the animal care team, who the zoo said will remember and miss him.

African penguins live along the coast of South Africa and are the only species of penguins that live on the continent.

Their typical lifespan is 15-20 years in the wild and 20-30 years or longer in human care.

From: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/article_a6fdf43b-88e6-4bfe-b2cb-929eec2ba897.html


Recent stories by Racine Journal Times reporter Milana Doné

Friday, June 5, 2026

Milwaukee health officials monitoring 3 who returned from Ebola-affected area

From JSOnline:

Madeline Heim
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel


Milwaukee health officials are in communication with three people who recently traveled to the city from central Africa, where a fast-growing Ebola outbreak has infected more than 1,000 people.

The travelers are at very low risk of infection and there is currently no danger to the public, Milwaukee Health Commissioner Mike Totoraitis said at a June 3 Board of Health meeting.

Ebola is a virus that causes severe inflammation, tissue damage and internal bleeding. It is spread through direct contact with bodily fluids of an infected person, and has on average a 50% fatality rate.

The current outbreak, caused by a strain of the virus called Bundibugyo, is centered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with cases also reported in Uganda. The first case was confirmed in April.

In May, federal agencies in the U.S. put in place screenings and other security measures for people traveling back from countries affected by the outbreak. They are being rerouted to four U.S. airports for additional screening in Virginia, Atlanta, Houston and New York.

Travelers without symptoms receive information about monitoring their health for 21 days after departing the affected areas and continue to their final destinations – as was the case with the three people now in Milwaukee, Totoraitis said.

Health department staff are checking in with the three people multiple times per week, Totoraitis said. None have needed further screening or any medical attention.

The city monitored several people returning from west Africa during the last Ebola outbreak between 2014 and 2016, Totoraitis said.

According to the CDC, there have been 62 confirmed deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo due to the virus and one confirmed death in Uganda. Because the Bundibugyo strain is rare, initial surveillance and testing did not pick it up, leading to early uncontrolled spread.

The region is also fighting the outbreak amid active conflict and mistrust of health care and aid workers, according to World Health Organization officials.

The risk to the American public is low.

Madeline Heim covers public health and environmental issues for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Contact her at 920-996-7266 or mheim@usatodayco.com.

From: https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/health/2026/06/05/milwaukee-health-officials-monitoring-3-low-risk-travelers-for-ebola/90419190007/