Health & Medicine
753 Whales and Dolphins Killed by Morbillivirus
Kathleen Lees
First Posted: Nov 12, 2013 03:18 PM EST
Hundreds of dolphins and whales are becoming infected by what's known as the morbillivirus. This is known as a measles-like type of virus that's affected hundreds of mammals from different states and is highly infectious. The virus comes from the Paramyxoviridae family, which typically causes measles related symptoms.
So far, the bottlenose dolphin has been most affected by the virus, with 753 victims since the death toll started in July. Reports indicate that the infection hit its highest records with the migratory Atlantic herds at a steady rate towards the south. Recently infected dolphins were also found in Florida.
The National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has named the preceding annihilation as an "unusual morality event" that's caused 740 dolphins to die in the Atlantic coast during August 1987 to April 1988.
Two types of whales have also been pre-diagnosed with a type of the virus after positive results came back from a preliminary sequencing of the disease. These three humpback and two pygmy species of whales were found dead and decomposed. Further tests by the NOAA showed that they had been infected by the virus.
"There is no vaccine that can be deployed for a large bottlenose dolphin population or any cetacean species. Currently there is nothing that can be done to prevent the infection spreading, or prevent animals that get infected from having severe clinical disease," Rowles said in an interview with NBC News.
However, scientists are working with local officials to provide medical treatment for infected animals who are still alive.
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First Posted: Nov 12, 2013 03:18 PM EST
Hundreds of dolphins and whales are becoming infected by what's known as the morbillivirus. This is known as a measles-like type of virus that's affected hundreds of mammals from different states and is highly infectious. The virus comes from the Paramyxoviridae family, which typically causes measles related symptoms.
So far, the bottlenose dolphin has been most affected by the virus, with 753 victims since the death toll started in July. Reports indicate that the infection hit its highest records with the migratory Atlantic herds at a steady rate towards the south. Recently infected dolphins were also found in Florida.
The National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has named the preceding annihilation as an "unusual morality event" that's caused 740 dolphins to die in the Atlantic coast during August 1987 to April 1988.
Two types of whales have also been pre-diagnosed with a type of the virus after positive results came back from a preliminary sequencing of the disease. These three humpback and two pygmy species of whales were found dead and decomposed. Further tests by the NOAA showed that they had been infected by the virus.
"There is no vaccine that can be deployed for a large bottlenose dolphin population or any cetacean species. Currently there is nothing that can be done to prevent the infection spreading, or prevent animals that get infected from having severe clinical disease," Rowles said in an interview with NBC News.
However, scientists are working with local officials to provide medical treatment for infected animals who are still alive.
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone