New virus found in dolphins risks outbreak through marine life

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet

Get our free Climate email

Please enter a valid email address

Please enter a valid email address

SIGN UP

I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Researchers have discovered a new strain of a lethal virus in dolphins and fear it could spread to other marine animals, according to a new study.

A study began two years ago after a Fraser’s dolphin, which typically inhabit deep, tropical waters was found dead off the coast of the island of Maui in Hawaii.

A necropsy revealed that the dolphin had a previously unidentified strain of cetacean morbillivirus. This type of virus has never before been seen in a Fraser’s dolphin.

Cetacean morbillivirus is related to human measles and smallpox, and has caused several lethal outbreaks in whale populations around the world. An outbreak among Guiana dolphins in Brazil killed over 200 animals.

Scientists fear that this divergent strain in Hawaii’s waters could infect other marine life.

“It’s also significant to us here in Hawaiʻi because we have many other species of dolphins and whales—about 20 species that call Hawaiʻi home—that may also be vulnerable to an outbreak from this virus,” Kristi West, the study’s lead author and associate researcher at UH Manoa’s Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology, told The Hill.

Dr. West said that she was especially concerned about endangered species, like False Killer whale, which only have a population of 200 left.

Despite concerns of potential outbreaks, researchers say it’s possible that some dolphins and whales are immune to the new strain. Nonetheless, antibody tests would need to confirm that theory.

Researchers noted that its difficult to track every single virus outbreak in the region. The UH Health and Strand Lab — a center that diagnoses diseases — analyzes less than five per cent of dead dolphins and whales in Hawaii.