An Outbreak of a Herpesvirus Infection in Harbor Seals (Phoca Vitulina)

Abstract

ABSTRACT:During an outbreak of a herpesvirus infection in juvenile harbor seals, 11 out of 23 seals died. The duration of the disease in these 11 animals varied from 1-6 days. Nasal discharge, inflammation of the oral mucosa, vomiting, diarrhea and fever up to 40 C were observed in the first days of the disease. In later stages coughing, anorexia and lethargy occurred. Severe necrosis of the liver and interstitial pneumonia were the most striking histopathological findings.

Serologic Survey for Brucella Spp., Phocid Herpesvirus-1, Phocid Herpesvirus-2, and Phocine Distemper Virus in Harbor Seals From Alaska, 1976–1999

“…Interstitial pneumonia and necrosis of hepatic parenchyma were the primary histologic lesions. Less significant changes were also observed in kidneys, spleen, and lymph nodes (Borst et al, 1986).…”

“…Duration of the illness ranged from 1 to 6 days (Borst et al, 1986). Interstitial pneumonia and necrosis of hepatic parenchyma were the primary histologic lesions.…”

Disseminated mycosis in a killer whale (Orcinus orca)

“…The absence of intranuclear inclusion bodies in the infected tissues and tissue culture was also reported in a harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) infected with an outbreak of a herpesvirus. 4 Although it has been widely demonstrated that viruses are species-specific, alphaherpesviruses are considered the least specific among the Herpesviridae family. 17 Herpesviruses have been reported in only a small number of species of cetaceans.…”

Genetic characterization of the unique short segment of Phocid herpesvirus type 1 reveals close relationships among alphaherpesviruses of hosts of the order Carnivora

“…Natural infections with the alphaherpesvirus known as phocid herpesvirus type 1 (PhHV-1) are a major cause of morbidity in seal rehabilitation centres and are held responsible for a wide spectrum of clinical signs. These range from mild respiratory signs in adults to severe generalized and often fatal disease in seal pups and neonates (Osterhaus et al, 1985;Borst et al, 1986;Gulland et al, 1997;. Reminiscent of alphaherpesvirusinduced disease in other mammals, host-mediated factors such as age and immune status also influence significantly the severity of PhHV-1-related disease in seals (Osterhaus, 1988;Have et al, 1991;Martina et al, 2002).…”