Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
A group of experts managed to detect virus which infects dolphin Fraser in Hawaii. Scientists fear the never-before-detected virus could spread to marine mammals around the world.
Research started in 2018 published in the journal Nature Scientific Reports, after Fraser’s dolphin that used to inhabit tropical waters was found dead off the coast of Maui in Hawaii.
When found, the body of the mammal with the Latin name Lagenodelphis hosei was in fairly good condition, but its organs and cells showed signs of damage. Genetic analysis of cell cultures revealed the cause.
A necropsy revealed that the dolphin was infected with a previously unidentified morbillivirus cetacean virus. The discovery raises fears of outbreaks in Fraser’s dolphin and other mammals.
“It’s also important to us here in Hawaii because we have many other species of dolphins and whales—about 20 species that call Hawaii home that may also be vulnerable to this viral outbreak,” said Kristi West, researcher at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology. quoted from Gizmodo Monday (16/8).
Experts are seriously concerned that this type of virus could cause deadly outbreaks among marine mammals.
Two previous incidents involving the morbilli virus type resulted in high mortality rates among dolphins off the coast of Brazil and the west coast of Australia.
In Brazil, more than 200 Guiana dolphins are believed to have died from the disease from November to December 2017.
Dr. West said he was particularly concerned about endangered species, such as the False Killer whale, whose population only has 200 remaining.
Reportedly, Fraser’s dolphins are very sociable and friendly, and they are known to hang out with other dolphins and whales. Therefore, Fraser’s dolphin can carry this highly contagious pathogen to other parts of the world. Experts call on marine wildlife managers and conservationists to be vigilant.
Researchers say more research is needed to test the immunity levels of dolphins and whales. This step is needed to determine the level of infection before it is declared an outbreak.
The Center for Disease Diagnosis, UH Health and Strand Lab, analyzed less than five percent of the dolphins and whales that died in Hawaii from the cetacean morbillivirus virus.
However, the team asked anyone to report sightings of dead and suffering marine mammals to the Marine Wildlife Hotline of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
(mrh/mik)
– .
