
USA Today: Deadly Pathogens Can Hitch a Ride on Ocean Microplastics, Raising Alarm Bells
- Parasites
- Toxoplasmosis
- Ocean trash
Deadly pathogens can hitch a ride on ocean microplastics, raising alarm bells
Published in USA Today: April 28, 2022
A novel experiment in a veterinary lab found deadly pathogens could be catching a ride on microplastics washing out to sea, concentrating the bugs and potentially putting humans and animals like sea otters, seals and dolphins at risk.
The pathogens, Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia enterica, end up in waterways when feces from infected animals contaminate the water.
In the study, published this week in the journal Scientific Reports, scientists at the University of California, Davis showed microplastics can provide a new way for these microorganisms to concentrate near coastlines and travel deep into the sea.
Yes, I want to save a life!

Yes, I want to save a life!
You’ll be giving sick and injured animals the best possible care at the Center’s state-of-the-art hospital. With your gift today, you are giving a patient a second chance at life in the wild.
See Our Latest News
{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/Hawaiian monk seal\/cropped-images\/hms-wild-photo-1-c-noaa-pifsc-hmsrp-35-0-1270-992-1759760452.jpg","alt":"A Hawaiian monk seal rests on its side on a sandy beach.","title":"Where Do Hawaiian Monk Seals Live? And Other \u2018\u012alio Holo I Ka Uaua Trivia","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/where-do-hawaiian-monk-seals-live-and-other-ilio-holo-i-ka-uaua-trivia","label":"News Update","date":"2025-10-06 00:00:00"}

Where Do Hawaiian Monk Seals Live? And Other ‘Īlio Holo I Ka Uaua Trivia
October 6, 2025
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/California sea lions\/2025\/cropped-images\/dottie-csl-photo-by-bill-hunnewell-218-0-1270-992-1759777087.jpg","alt":"California sea lion","title":"LA Times: Marine mammals are dying in record numbers along the California coast","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/la-times-marine-mammals-are-dying-in-record-numbers-along-the-california-coast","label":"In the News","date":"2025-10-03 02:00:00"}

LA Times: Marine mammals are dying in record numbers along the California coast
October 3, 2025
Read More{"image":"\/People\/Action\/Veterinary care\/cropped-images\/dane-whitaker-and-emily-whitmer-vaccine-trial-by-bill-hunnewell-49-0-1270-992-1757364612.jpg","alt":"Two veterinarians collect a blood sample from an elephant seal in a rehabilitation pen.","title":"Bird Flu Vaccine Trial May Offer Hope for Protecting Hawaiian Monk Seals","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/bird-flu-vaccine-trial-may-offer-hope-for-protecting-hawaiian-monk-seals","label":"News Update","date":"2025-09-09 09:13:00"}

Bird Flu Vaccine Trial May Offer Hope for Protecting Hawaiian Monk Seals
September 9, 2025
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/Elephant seals\/2025\/cropped-images\/es-vaccine-trial-satellite-tag-by-bill-hunnewell-218-0-1270-992-1757432410.jpg","alt":"Northern elephant seal","title":"The New York Times: Scientists Begin Testing Bird Flu Vaccine in Seals","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/the-new-york-times-scientists-begin-testing-bird-flu-vaccine-in-seals","label":"In the News","date":"2025-09-09 02:00:00"}

The New York Times: Scientists Begin Testing Bird Flu Vaccine in Seals
September 9, 2025
Read Moretoxoplasmosis
ocean trash
Cara Field
Southern Sea Otter
Hawaiian Monk Seal