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Dog-killing flatworm discovered in Southern California

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Dog-killing flatworm discovered in Southern California


UC Riverside scientists confirm, for the first time, that a potentially fatal dog parasite is present in a portion of the Colorado River that runs through California. 

Life cycle of the flatworm parasite H. americana. (Adler Dillman/UCR)

The parasite, Heterobilharzia americana, is a flatworm commonly referred to as liver fluke. Previously found almost exclusively in Texas and other Gulf Coast states, it has never been reported this far west. The worm can cause canine schistosomiasis, an illness that impacts the liver and intestines of dogs. 

“Dogs can die from this infection, so we are hoping to raise public awareness that it’s there,” said UCR nematology professor Adler Dillman. “If you’re swimming in the Colorado River with them, your pets are in peril.”

After learning about cases of the infection in local dogs, Dillman assembled a research team and headed to Blythe, a border town east of Joshua Tree National Park in Riverside County, where the sick dogs had all spent time swimming in the river. 

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The infection is driven by the presence of a snail that transmits the worm. The research team collected more than 2,000 snails from the banks of the river. A paper published today in the journal Pathogens describes how the team used DNA to confirm the identity of both the snails and the flatworm. 

“We actually found two species of snails that can support H. americana in the river in Blythe, and we found both snails actively shedding this worm,” Dillman said. “Not only was it a surprise to find H. americana, we also did not know that the snails were present here.”

After transforming itself inside one of the snails, the worm ventures out with the goal of finding a mammal to infect. In this stage it can only survive on its own for about 24 hours. If a dog or a raccoon is in the water, or drinking, then it gets infected. 

“It gets into the veins of the intestinal lining, and that’s where it develops into an adult and mates,” Dillman said. “The presence of the adults in the veins isn’t the problem. It’s the eggs that get into the lungs, spleen, liver, and heart. The immune system tries to deal with it, and hard clusters of immune cells called granulomas form. Eventually the organ tissues stop functioning.”

Once infected, it can be several months before the worst symptoms of the illness appear. Since 2019 in California, 11 dogs in three counties have been confirmed with this disease, and one has died. Health officials hope that with awareness they can prevent further infections and deaths. 

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“Symptoms start gradually with a loss of appetite, and eventually include vomiting, diarrhea, profound weight loss, and signs of liver disease. If your dog has these symptoms after swimming in the Colorado River, it’s a good precaution to ask your veterinarian for a simple fecal test,” said Emily Beeler, a veterinarian with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. 

“Treatment typically involves use of multiple medications and close monitoring of the dog by a veterinarian,” Beeler said. 

It is important to note that H. americana is not known to be capable of causing disease in humans. “It can cause swimmer’s itch, a red rash where it penetrates human skin. But it’s not able to cause infection,” Dillman said.

Additionally, Dillman hopes to allay concerns that the parasite could be contaminating urban drinking water. “Compared to other pathogens these worms are fairly large. They can easily be filtered out with common water purification strategies,” he said. Though there is no cause for concern about contamination of water sources, drinking the water directly is still inadvisable. 

“You have viruses, bacteria, and other parasites such as Giardia in rivers,” Dillman said. “Nobody should be drinking straight out of the river, and that has nothing to do with this particular parasite.”

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(Cover image: amriphoto/iStock/Getty)



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See How Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Celebrated Easter in California With Their Children

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See How Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Celebrated Easter in California With Their Children


While the royal family gathered in Windsor this morning to attend Easter Sunday services, the holiday looked quite different in Montecito, California for Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

On Instagram, Meghan shared videos from their day, including feeding their chickens, gathering eggs, watching Archie and Lilibet race on an Easter egg hunt with their dogs following, Lilibet, in a pink dress, holding a large stuffed bunny toy while wearing bunny ears, and Archie working on decorating eggs. “Happy Easter!” she wrote in the caption . Watch the clips here:

In With Love, Meghan, Meghan spoke about collecting eggs from her chickens. “What’s really cool is with whatever’s going on in life, to be able to do something like this,” Meghan tells the camera about collecting eggs from her chickens. “It’s just fun. It’s fun for kids and for adults. But, if a morning starts like this [snaps], you think about your day differently.”

Harry and Meghan’s Netflix docuseries, Harry & Meghan, offered a sweet glimpse into their Easter traditions in California. In the sixth episode, cameras capture the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, along with Meghan’s mom Doria, as they set up an Easter egg hunt for Archie in April 2021.

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Screenshot/Netflix

Meghan, pregnant with Lilibet, on Easter 2021.

prince harry meghan markle easter egg hunt netflix
Screenshot/Netflix

Harry places an egg underneath a Peter Rabbit character.

prince harry meghan markle easter egg hunt netflix
Screenshot/Netflix

The Sussexes setting up an Easter egg hunt for Archie in their backyard.

On ShopMy last year, Meghan shared her Easter essentials, which included children’s clothing picks from J.Crew, Boden, and Petite Plume, among other brands, and Easter hosting items such as children’s toys and home goods. Earlier this week, she was spotted shopping for Easter gifts at a local Montecito shop. “She was there for a while, talking to the staff and making selections,” a source told People at the time.

In addition, last month, her brand As Ever launched a limited-edition “Bloom Box” in collaboration with High Camp Supply, a San Francisco-based luxury florist. The box was meant to ship in time for Easter.

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Emily Burack (she/her) is the Deputy Digital Editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, celebrities, the royals, and a wide range of other topics. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma, a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Instagram, Twitter, and other social media platforms.



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California Politics 360 Full Episode | $13M placed in bets on CA governor’s race

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California Politics 360 Full Episode | M placed in bets on CA governor’s race


Ashley Zavala sits down with Sacramento Assembly Member Maggy Krell about what more she says should be done.

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California Politics 360 Full Episode | $13M placed in bets on CA governor’s race

Ashley Zavala sits down with Sacramento Assembly Member Maggy Krell about what more she says should be done.

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California Politics 360 Full Episode | $13M placed in bets on CA governor’s race

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Ashley Zavala sits down with Sacramento Assembly Member Maggy Krell about what more she says should be done.

Updated: 8:25 AM PDT Apr 5, 2026

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At least $13 million has been placed in bets on the California governor’s race. In a state that doesn’t allow online sports betting, why are people allowed to bet on politics? The two most popular betting and prediction sites – Kalshi & Polymarket – are facing a flurry of lawsuits. Last week, Washington filed a lawsuit against Kalshi. Last month, Arizona’s attorney general filed criminal charges against the company. This week, California Sen. Adam Schiff joined three other senators in proposing legislation to block insiders from betting. Gov. Newsom also made some moves on the state level, banning state employees or his appointees and their family members from making bets on these sites using state information. Ashley Zavala sits down with Sacramento Assembly Member Maggy Krell about what more she says should be done. This year, California voters will decide who they want to be their next governor. Every week leading to the June primary, we will hear from one of the top 10 candidates running for the state’s highest position. This week, Ashley Zavala sat down with Republican Steve Hilton to get his thoughts on the major issues impacting Californians. New changes went into effect this week, impacting who is eligible for CalFresh. Ashley Zavala sits down with the Executive Director of the County Welfare Directors Association, Carlos Marquez III. We take a closer look at the responsibilities for California’s Insurance Commissioner ahead of the June primary.KCRA 3 Political Director Ashley Zavala reports in-depth coverage of top California politics and policy issues. She is also the host of “California Politics 360.” Get informed each Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on KCRA 3.

At least $13 million has been placed in bets on the California governor’s race. In a state that doesn’t allow online sports betting, why are people allowed to bet on politics?

The two most popular betting and prediction sites – Kalshi & Polymarket – are facing a flurry of lawsuits. Last week, Washington filed a lawsuit against Kalshi. Last month, Arizona’s attorney general filed criminal charges against the company.

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This week, California Sen. Adam Schiff joined three other senators in proposing legislation to block insiders from betting. Gov. Newsom also made some moves on the state level, banning state employees or his appointees and their family members from making bets on these sites using state information.

Ashley Zavala sits down with Sacramento Assembly Member Maggy Krell about what more she says should be done.

This year, California voters will decide who they want to be their next governor. Every week leading to the June primary, we will hear from one of the top 10 candidates running for the state’s highest position. This week, Ashley Zavala sat down with Republican Steve Hilton to get his thoughts on the major issues impacting Californians.

New changes went into effect this week, impacting who is eligible for CalFresh. Ashley Zavala sits down with the Executive Director of the County Welfare Directors Association, Carlos Marquez III.

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We take a closer look at the responsibilities for California’s Insurance Commissioner ahead of the June primary.


KCRA 3 Political Director Ashley Zavala reports in-depth coverage of top California politics and policy issues. She is also the host of “California Politics 360.” Get informed each Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on KCRA 3.

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Loved ones search for missing 15-year-old Southern California girl 

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Loved ones search for missing 15-year-old Southern California girl 


Loved ones are searching for a Southern California girl who has been missing for more than six months.

Keylin Reyes-Moreno, 15, was reported missing on Sept. 22, 2025, according to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC).

Reyes-Moreno was last seen in the Pacoima area.

She is 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 120 pounds. She has brown hair and dark brown eyes.

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Keylin Reyes-Moreno, 15, was last seen in Pacoima on Sept. 22, 2025. (National Center for Missing & Exploited Children)

She may have been heading to the Los Angeles area when she disappeared.

Her family did not mention any health or mental issues that would’ve contributed to her disappearance. They have not heard from her since and are very concerned for her well-being.

Anyone who may know Keylin Reyes-Moreno’s whereabouts or has information on the case is asked to call NCMEC at 1-800-843-5678 or the Los Angeles Police Department at 877-275-5273.



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