Florida Dolphin Found To Have Highly Pathogenic Bird Flu in First Case in North America

A new study reveals that a Florida dolphin has highly pathogenic bird flu, marking North America's first case of its kind.

Dolphin With Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (HPAIV)

The discovery was made by researchers from the University of Florida and is detailed in the "Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus in a common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in Florida" study.

The study looked into the first US discovery of the positive presence of HPAIV in a cetacean. It details its detection by marine rescue teams up until the virus diagnosis and also the samples that were discovered in postmortem analysis. The study notes that scientists harbor fears that bird flu spread could end up catastrophic for cetaceans.

In March 2022, the dolphin was first observed to be in distress after getting stuck in a canal in Dixie County. Efforts were made to rescue the cetacean, but it ended up dying shortly after the arrival of the rescue team. The dolphin was then packed in ice and brought to the university.

Back then, the scientists did not suspect that this would be a case of bird flu. However, the postmortem analysis revealed that the dolphin had several serious health problems, such as brain inflammation and leptomeninges disease.

Further analysis showed that the dolphin had symptoms similar to those found in other Florida wildlife that got infected with the virus. The study notes that birds that have bird flu also experienced inflammation of the brain.

According to the researchers, in 2022, gray seals and harbor seals also died due to the virus. Some of them also passed away due to neurological symptoms.

Various tests revealed that the isolated virus was present in the brain tissue of the dolphin. However, it remains a mystery whether the cetacean ended up contracting the virus.

Richard Webby, the director of the WHO's Collaborating Center for Studies on the Ecology of Influenza in Animals and Birds in St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, explains that they do not know where the cetacean got the flu, adding that further study needs to be conducted.

Bird Flu Outbreak

A global bird flu outbreak began in 2020. Though the virus does not pose much danger to humans, it has led millions of birds and other wildlife to succumb to the infection.

Among mammals, sea lions and seals are the most affected by the virus. It has also led to outbreaks in both backyard and commercial flocks of poultry. It has even been detected in dairy cows and commercial milk samples.

Across the US, the infection has been notably widespread across marine creatures in Maine. It has also been picked up in seals within Puget Sound. The virus has been spreading quite quickly across South America.

It is crucial to know more about the virus for scientists to prevent its spread towards other animals. Mike Walsh, an associate aquatic animal health professor from the university, explains that the investigation was crucial in knowing more about the virus.

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