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Measles-like virus linked to dolphin deaths along US east coast Measles-like virus linked to dolphin deaths along US east coast
(21 days later)
A measles-like virus could be the reason that an extraordinary number of bottlenose dolphins have died after becoming stranded along the east coast of the US, experts said on Tuesday.A measles-like virus could be the reason that an extraordinary number of bottlenose dolphins have died after becoming stranded along the east coast of the US, experts said on Tuesday.
Since 1 July, 333 bottlenose dolphins have been found dead along coastlines from New York to North Carolina, the highest number in 25 years and almost 10 times the average of 33 for the same period and region over the last five years, according to Teri Rowles of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).Since 1 July, 333 bottlenose dolphins have been found dead along coastlines from New York to North Carolina, the highest number in 25 years and almost 10 times the average of 33 for the same period and region over the last five years, according to Teri Rowles of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The state of Virginia has had the largest number of stranded dolphin deaths, with 174, Rowles said. But the death toll is likely higher because there have been reports of dolphin carcasses floating off the coast.The state of Virginia has had the largest number of stranded dolphin deaths, with 174, Rowles said. But the death toll is likely higher because there have been reports of dolphin carcasses floating off the coast.
Rowles and other experts from NOAA, universities and marine institutes have tentatively attributed the deaths to cetacean morbillivirus, which is related to the virus that causes measles in humans.Rowles and other experts from NOAA, universities and marine institutes have tentatively attributed the deaths to cetacean morbillivirus, which is related to the virus that causes measles in humans.
Morbillivirus attacks dolphins' immune systems, leaving infected animals vulnerable to other diseases, including pneumonia. Many of the stranded dolphins have lesions on their skin, mouths, joints or lungs, the NOAA reported.Morbillivirus attacks dolphins' immune systems, leaving infected animals vulnerable to other diseases, including pneumonia. Many of the stranded dolphins have lesions on their skin, mouths, joints or lungs, the NOAA reported.
Different kinds of morbillivirus stay within a closely related species and there is no indication this outbreak could jump to people, said Jerry Saliki, a virologist at the University of Georgia.Different kinds of morbillivirus stay within a closely related species and there is no indication this outbreak could jump to people, said Jerry Saliki, a virologist at the University of Georgia.
Dolphin deaths on this scale have not occurred in the mid-Atlantic region since 1987-88. If this outbreak follows a similar course, it could last until May 2014 as dolphin populations build up resistance to the virus, Rowles said.Dolphin deaths on this scale have not occurred in the mid-Atlantic region since 1987-88. If this outbreak follows a similar course, it could last until May 2014 as dolphin populations build up resistance to the virus, Rowles said.
NOAA has declared an "unusual mortality event", which means bottlenose dolphins in this area will get extra support under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.NOAA has declared an "unusual mortality event", which means bottlenose dolphins in this area will get extra support under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
"At this point, there isn't anything to stop the virus," Rowles said. While there are vaccines against morbillivirus that occurs in land animals, there is no vaccine that could be easily deployed on dolphins, she said."At this point, there isn't anything to stop the virus," Rowles said. While there are vaccines against morbillivirus that occurs in land animals, there is no vaccine that could be easily deployed on dolphins, she said.
This month the NOAA also declared an unusual mortality event for the bottlenose dolphins in Florida's Indian River Lagoon, where dolphin strandings are nearly three times the historic average this year. The agency did not offer a tentative cause for these deaths, but many of the dolphin carcasses in Florida were emaciated.This month the NOAA also declared an unusual mortality event for the bottlenose dolphins in Florida's Indian River Lagoon, where dolphin strandings are nearly three times the historic average this year. The agency did not offer a tentative cause for these deaths, but many of the dolphin carcasses in Florida were emaciated.
"There is a tipping point in populations," Stephanie Venn-Watson, from the National Marine Mammal Foundation, said. "The primary hypothesis is East Coast dolphins don't have the natural immune response to fight off the virus.""There is a tipping point in populations," Stephanie Venn-Watson, from the National Marine Mammal Foundation, said. "The primary hypothesis is East Coast dolphins don't have the natural immune response to fight off the virus."
Asked whether pollution could be a factor, Rowles said experts are monitoring an area off the coast of the state of Georgia where there are high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, in the water. PCBs were banned in the United States in 1979, but they can remain on manufacturing sites for decades and are known carcinogens, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.Asked whether pollution could be a factor, Rowles said experts are monitoring an area off the coast of the state of Georgia where there are high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, in the water. PCBs were banned in the United States in 1979, but they can remain on manufacturing sites for decades and are known carcinogens, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
No stranded dolphins have been reported along the Georgia coast, but that could change as the dolphins migrate south for the winter.No stranded dolphins have been reported along the Georgia coast, but that could change as the dolphins migrate south for the winter.
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