If you see a fly landing on your food, it might be worth throwing the whole thing away. New research suggests that the pathogen could be present in the fly muck.
If you picture a disease-carrying insect you probably think of a tick or mosquito. However, recent research has shown that the average non-biting house fly is actually not as dangerous as you might think.Musca domestica) may pose a bigger threat to human health than is often considered.
The crop organ, located at the beginning of the flies’ gut, stores food before it is digested. This organ can also be used to hide microbes or parasites.
If a fly lands on food,If the insect is not able to ingest some of their crop, and possibly some enzymes, it will likely vomit. This is the way that the fly eats its food so that it can be absorbed through its straw-like mouth.
Fly can also spew enzymes. Viral infectionsand bacteria from its crop, that were previously picked up through other food sources such as saliva, mucus or wounds.
This overlooked route of transmission has been the subject of a recent review. It was originally prompted by the spread of the COVID-19 pandemicWhen John Stoffolano (entomologist) read a book called “The Book of Entomology”, he was captivated by the subject. Spillover: Animal Infections & the Next Human Pandemic.
Stoffolano looked through the pages and saw that the houseflies he worked on for over 50 years had been neglected as transmitters of disease.
“I’ve been working on [non-biting]Since I was a graduate student during the 1960s, flies have been my life. And [non-biting]”Flies have been largely ignored.” SaysStoffolano at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
“Blood-feeding Flies” has been the focus of attention, but it is important to pay more attention to those that live with us. They get their nutrients from humans and animals that shed pathogens through their tears, feces and wounds.
Flies love filth and are attracted by it. This means that they can transmit pathogens to other animals as they buzz about.
According to one Recent studyAdult houseflies have been exposed to more than 200 pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
2020: Researchers ShownIn laboratory experiments, house flies may even be able to carry SARS-CoV-2Transporting live animals mechanically Viralto their legs, wings, and mouthparts.
It’s not only mechanical transmission that we should be concerned about. In the 1990s, there was a resurgence in the use of mechanical transmission. StudyIt was found that Escherichia coliHouseflies can carry bacteria to their mouths.
Stoffolano believes this is because the flies constantly spew up their crop contents during grooming and feeding (where they smear vomit all around themselves).
For instance, in 2021 StudyIt was discovered that houses fly infected by the disease Chlamydia tachomatis could keep this pathogen alive in their crop for 24 hours – plenty of time to fly off and regurgitate on a new host.
Another StudyPathogens that are found in crops may remain for as long as 4 days.
Scientists continue to study these filthy creatures. However, it is important to remember that food shouldn’t be left out for too long.
Cameron Webb, University of Sydney entomologist, said that while there is no doubt that fly can carry bacteria, viruses and parasites from our food, it is unlikely that one touchdown will trigger a chain reaction leading the average person to become ill. Submitted2015
However, the majority of studies that have examined the inner workings of fly flies for pathogens to date have not indicated what part of the fly was dissected. Steffano states that researchers should inspect the crop since it contains more fluid to allow microbes and parasites to soak in.
Researchers should also be aware that certain fly species may have larger crops, which could make them more susceptible to carrying pathogens. This can increase the risk of spreading disease when they roam.
Stoffolano: “It is the little things which cause the problems.” Says. “Our health depends upon paying more attention the flies who live with us.”
The study was published by Insect.
