Deadly Liver Fluke Parasite Found in Colorado River, California

The discovery of a parasite lethal to dogs in the Colorado River highlights the need for pet owners to exercise caution.

A liver fluke parasite, Heterobilharzia americana, known to be fatal to dogs, has been identified in the Colorado River in Southern California for the first time.
Eleven dogs across three California counties have been infected since 2019, with one reported death.
The parasite, commonly found in Texas and other Gulf Coast states, causes a condition in dogs known as schistosomiasis, damaging the liver and intestines.
Researchers found two species of snails in the river that can host the parasite, marking the first discovery of these snails in California.
While the parasite can cause a skin rash in humans, it poses no risk of major infection or contamination of drinking water sources.