White pox disease is a disease that affects the elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata), which is a species of stony coral found in the Caribbean Sea. The disease is characterized by the presence of white lesions on the surface of the coral, which can lead to the loss of living tissue and ultimately the death of the coral. White pox disease is caused by a bacterium called Serratia marcescens, which is found in the intestinal tracts of humans and other animals. The bacterium is thought to be transmitted to the coral through the feces of humans and other animals, which can enter the water through sewage outflows or stormwater runoff. White pox disease has had a significant impact on elkhorn coral populations in the Caribbean, and it is considered a major threat to coral reefs in the region. There is no known cure for white pox disease, and efforts to manage the disease focus on reducing the transmission of the bacterium to the coral and promoting coral resilience.
January 2