Deadly Parasite Threatens California Sea Otters.

Four sea otters that washed ashore on the California coast died from an unusual parasite called Toxoplasma gondii, which could infect other marine wildlife and humans. The microscopic parasite could infect any warm-blooded animal or find its way into the food chain, including marine animals like mussels, clams, oysters, and crabs that are consumed raw or undercooked. The COUG genotype was present in all four otters, and the first otter washed ashore in San Simeon in San Luis Obispo County in February 2020. The type of inflammation of the fat associated with toxoplasmosis has been reported in Hawaiian monk seals.