Microbial stowaways: Are ships spreading disease?

Ships are inadvertently carrying trillions of stowaways in the water held in their ballast tanks. When the water is pumped out, invasive species could be released into new environments. Disease-causing microbes could also be released, posing a risk to public health, according to an article in the May issue of Microbiology Today.

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<p><a href="http://www.physorg.com/news131278033.html">Microbial stowaways: Are ships spreading disease?</a></p> <p>Ships are inadvertently carrying trillions of stowaways in the water held in their ballast tanks. When the water is pumped out, invasive species could be released into new environments. Disease-causing microbes could also be released, posing a risk to public health, according to an article in the May issue of <i>Microbiology Today</i>.</p>