Cetacean morbillivirus

An infectious disease affecting marine mammals

Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) is a highly infectious virus that affects marine mammals, particularly cetaceans such as dolphins, porpoises, and whales. It is a member of the Morbillivirus genus, which also includes the viruses responsible for measles in humans, canine distemper in dogs, and rinderpest in cattle.

Virology

Cetacean morbillivirus is an enveloped, single-stranded, negative-sense RNA virus. It belongs to the family Paramyxoviridae, which is known for causing a range of diseases in animals and humans. The virus is characterized by its ability to cause severe respiratory and neurological symptoms in infected hosts.

Transmission

CeMV is primarily transmitted through direct contact between infected and susceptible individuals. It can also spread via aerosols and contaminated water. The virus has been responsible for several epizootics, or disease outbreaks, among cetacean populations worldwide.

Clinical Signs

Infected cetaceans may exhibit a variety of symptoms, including:

• Respiratory distress
• Pneumonia
• Neurological signs such as disorientation and seizures
• Skin lesions
• Immunosuppression, leading to secondary infections

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of CeMV infection is typically confirmed through laboratory testing, including:

• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays to detect viral RNA
• Serological tests to identify antibodies against the virus
• Histopathological examination of tissues

Epidemiology

CeMV has been identified in cetacean populations across the globe, with notable outbreaks occurring in the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean. The virus poses a significant threat to marine mammal conservation due to its high mortality rate and potential to cause large-scale die-offs.

Conservation Implications

The impact of CeMV on cetacean populations is a major concern for conservationists. Efforts to monitor and manage the spread of the virus include:

• Surveillance programs to detect and track outbreaks
• Research into vaccine development
• Public awareness campaigns to reduce human impact on marine environments

Also see

• Morbillivirus
• Paramyxoviridae
• Marine mammal conservation
• Viral diseases of animals

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