The Transmission Fact Sheet is a compilation of research focused towards understanding the transmission of stony coral tissue loss disease and how it could affect coral reefs globally.
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An informational document about Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD), formatted as a factsheet dated January 2023.
The top banner features an underwater photograph of deep blue ocean water. Large bold white text reads “STONY CORAL TISSUE LOSS DISEASE” followed by the subtitle “Understanding & Preventing Disease Transmission”. A light blue bar beneath the banner contains the text “FACT SHEET | JANUARY 2023” on the left, and three logos on the right: U.S. Coral Reef Task Force, Sea Grant Florida, and NOAA.
The main section features two text columns overlaying a faint background image of coral:
The left column begins with the heading “What is stony coral tissue loss disease?” with a large teal drop cap letter “C”. The text details the ecological and economic importance of coral reefs, noting that an unprecedented coral disease outbreak is devastating the western Atlantic and Caribbean. It explains that SCTLD was first detected off Florida in 2014, has spread to 25 countries and territories as of November 2022, and its exact cause remains unknown.
The right column features a tall, vertical photograph of a pillar coral structure showing severe white tissue loss. In white text overlay, it reads: “SCTLD IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE MOST LETHAL CORAL DISEASES IN MODERN HISTORY.”
The bottom of the page features a timeline section titled “SCTLD PROGRESSION: Number of Affected Caribbean Locations from 2014 to 2022”. It displays six sequential map diagrams on a timeline bar showing the growing spread of the disease:
– November 2014: 1 location
– November 2018: 4 locations
– December 2019: 12 locations
– October 2020: 18 locations
– October 2021: 22 locations
– April 2022: 25 locations