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A morbillivirus causing mass mortality in seals.

A Osterhaus1

  • 1Department of Immunobiology, National Institute of Public Health, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.

Vaccine
|December 1, 1989
PubMed
Summary

Canine distemper virus (CDV) caused a massive die-off in harbour seals across Europe. This infectious disease led to severe illness and the death of over 17,000 seals in 1988.

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Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Virology
  • Marine Mammal Pathology
  • Ecology of Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • A severe infectious disease outbreak affected harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) in European waters starting in April 1988.
  • Over 17,000 seals died within eight months, exhibiting symptoms of respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central nervous system disease.
  • Initial investigations considered infectious agents, overpopulation, and environmental pollution, with opportunistic infections like herpesvirus and picornavirus noted.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the primary causative agent of the 1988 harbour seal epidemic.
  • To investigate the role of canine distemper virus (CDV) and related morbilliviruses in the seal deaths.
  • To differentiate between primary pathogens and opportunistic infections.

Main Methods:

  • Clinical and pathological examination of affected seals.
  • Isolation and identification of viral, bacterial, and parasitic agents.
  • Seroepizootiological studies, including virus neutralization tests on seal sera.
  • Screening of sera from multiple European countries collected before and during the outbreak.

Main Results:

  • Clinical signs and pathological lesions were consistent with canine distemper.
  • Herpesvirus and picornavirus isolations were deemed opportunistic, not primary causes.
  • Serological screening revealed the presence of canine distemper virus (CDV) or closely related morbillivirus neutralizing antibodies in affected seals.
  • These antibodies were detected in sera collected before and during the outbreak.

Conclusions:

  • Canine distemper virus (CDV) or a closely related morbillivirus was identified as the primary cause of the 1988 harbour seal epidemic.
  • The outbreak highlights the susceptibility of marine mammals to terrestrial wildlife pathogens.
  • Understanding the epizootiology of morbillivirus in marine mammals is crucial for conservation efforts.

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