GERMANY (31 July 2002) -- Five dead seals have been found on the north German coast and officials have confirmed the animals were killed by phocine distemper virus (PDV). PDV is a highly infectious morbillivirus related to canine distemper and of the same family as measles. The virus attacks the respiratory system of infected animals and has already killed over 2,000 seals in Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands in the past six weeks. In 1988, PDV killed over 18,000 seals, decimating the seal population of northern Europe including the UK where over 3,000 seals died. Scientists estimate that up to 25,000 seals living in the Wadden Sea are now at risk and only acquired immunity can protect them. Dr Ailsa Hall, a research biologist at the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU), University of St Andrews says vaccinating seals is not practical because of insufficient vaccine and the necessity to capture thousands of wild animals. | | Only acquired immunity can save seals from deadly PDV epidemic. German officials have asked coastal residents to report dead seals immediately so that authorities can quickly destroy the corpses to slow the spread of the disease. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORKSCUBA FORUMDISCUSS THIS TOPIC - Dive in and have your say at Scuba Forum |
