Guiana Dolphin Unusual Mortality Event and Link to Cetacean Morbillivirus, Brazil

Emerg Infect Dis. 2018 Jul;24(7):1349-1354. doi: 10.3201/eid2407.180139.

Abstract

During November-December 2017, a mass die-off of Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) began in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Molecular and pathologic investigations on 20 animals indicated that cetacean morbillivirus played a major role. Our findings increase the knowledge on health and disease aspects of this endangered species.

Keywords: Paramyxoviridae; Sotalia guianensis; die-off; dolphin; immunosuppression; marine mammals; morbillivirus outbreak; pathology; viruses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animal Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Animal Diseases / virology*
  • Animals
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Dolphins / virology*
  • Female
  • Male
  • Morbillivirus Infections / veterinary*
  • Morbillivirus*
  • Phylogeny
  • Population Density
  • RNA, Viral

Substances

  • RNA, Viral

Supplementary concepts

  • Cetacean morbillivirus