Dolphins Capable of Spreading Virus

NORTHRIDGE, CA - This month, a dolphin researcher and scientists are trying to find out how contagious and lethal a virus spread by dolphins is to humans. The disease is known as cetacean morbillivirus.

Photo credit, Ann-Marie Jacoby, provided by the Potomac - Chesapeake Dolphin Project. Dolphin swimming in the Atlantic Ocean.

Dolphins are capable of spreading a virus known as cetacean morbillivirus through synchronized breathing. They do this in groups, and it is the equivalent to humans giving a hug or a handshake to each other.

Janet Mann, a dolphin researcher, says that breathing in sync is their way of affirming their relationship with one another.

The virus is similar to the measles in humans and can be spread by humans sharing space and air with the dolphins.

Dolphins are known to be playful and friendly mammals that humans often interact with.

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The virus was first detected in Virginia and Maryland waters and there was an outbreak from 2013 to 2015 along the Atlantic Coast.

During that outbreak, over 1,600 dolphins were washed ashore on beaches from New York to Florida according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

In total, an estimate of 20,000 dolphins died from the virus, and the region’s population of coastal dolphins decreased by fifty percent.

In the Chesapeake Bay area, tracking how dolphins interact has required scientists to differentiate more than 2,000 dolphins by particular shapes and markings of their dorsal fins.

Mann says that the key to learning fast virus transmission is to trace dolphin social networks. Similar to how public health authorities have tracked the COVID-19 pandemic.

Audio- Synchronized breathing explained.

By, Micah Hall

Contributions, Miami Herald

Photo, Ann-Marie Jacoby, Potomac-Chesapeake Dolphin Project

Audio, Micah Hall

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