Avian flu, distemper may be to blame for rash of seal deaths in New England, NOAA says

[Treyfish]

[h=1]Avian flu, distemper may be to blame for rash of seal deaths in New England, NOAA says[/h]

HARPSWELL, Maine (WGME) -- Avian flu and distemper may be to blame for a rash of seal deaths in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Some of the first batch of sampled seals that were stranded during the last several weeks have preliminarily tested positive for either avian influenza or phocine distemper virus, according to NOAA...:tiphat:https://newschannel20.com/news/nation-world/noaa-dead-seals-in-new-england-test-positive-for-avian-flu-and-distemper

In addition, NOAA reports four seals so far have tested positive for both viruses.

 

[Treyfish]

[h=2]Avian flu, distemper may be to blame for rash of seal deaths[/h] [COLOR=#6A6A6A !important]Today, 03:40 PM[/COLOR]



15:08 EDT, 23 August 2018
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - Two common diseases, avian flu and distemper, may be to blame for a rash of seal deaths that caused dozens of them to wash ashore in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts in the biggest die-off of seals since 2011, federal scientists said Thursday.
Preliminary tests on the first batch of samples indicate the seals tested positive for avian flu and phocine distemper, but it's too soon to determine if either of both of the viruses were the primary cause of the seal deaths, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported.
The bulk of the deaths have been off the Maine coast, with 244 seal deaths in July and August. Another 88 deaths were reported in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
People and pets are being urged to call a NOAA hotline and keep a safe distance, 100 yards, if they encounter a sick or dead seal.
Scientists don't think the diseases pose a threat to humans, but it's too early to be sure, said spokeswoman Jennifer Goebel...:tiphat:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/...al-deaths.html

 

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.mainepublic.org/post/dea...st-and-it-could-affect-your-pets-too#stream/0

Deadly Seal Virus Spreads Up The Maine Coast - And It Could Affect Your Pets Too
By Bill Trotter - Bangor Daily News ? 31 minutes ago

A deadly outbreak of distemper that has killed hundreds of seals in three states is spreading east along the Maine coast, keeping responders busy as they deal with an unusually high number of reports.

Over the past couple of months, Allied Whale, the marine mammal research arm of College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, has been receiving dozens of calls about sick or dead seals between Rockland and the Canadian border, according to Lindsey Jones, the group?s stranding coordinator.

So far this month, Allied Whale has responded to reports of 14 dead seals, which is more than one a day, Jones said Thursday.

Last month, it counted ?just over 50? dead seals in its eastern Maine response area, she said. For September 2017, it had nine, while in September 2016, it had only two.

?Southern Maine is still getting most of the calls,? Jones said...