Pathogen Exposure in White Whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in Svalbard, Norway

Nymo, Ingebjørg Helena; Siebert, Ursula; Baechlein, Christine; Postel, Alexander; Breines, Eva Marie; Lydersen, Christian; Kovacs, Kit M.; Tryland, Morten

doi:10.3390/pathogens12010058

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…Warmer water temperatures might play a role in the prolonged survival of oocysts of T. gondii in the future, increasing the risk of transport into the Arctic via north-flowing currents such as the North Atlantic Current or though marine invertebrate filter feeders [ 228 ]. White whales (n = 27) from Svalbard, Norway, were tested for T. gondii but were found to be negative [ 237 ], although antibodies have been detected in white whales in the Sea of Okhotsk [ 238 ]. Whilst T. gondii is currently a low mortality risk in the Arctic, an increased incidence could occur if the overall health of populations deteriorates.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Serological monitoring has confirmed the presence of influenza A in the Canadian Arctic, with white whales and ringed seals being serologically positive; antibodies have also been confirmed in narwhal and bowhead whales [ 292 , 293 ]. In addition, influenza A antibodies have also been detected in white whales in Svalbard, Norway, and in Russia, though there are no reports of clinical disease [ 237 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Review of Circumpolar Arctic Marine Mammal Health—A Call to Action in a Time of Rapid Environmental Change

et al. 2023

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The impacts of climate change on the health of marine mammals are increasingly being recognised. Given the rapid rate of environmental change in the Arctic, the potential ramifications on the health of marine mammals in this region are a particular concern. There are eleven endemic Arctic marine mammal species (AMMs) comprising three cetaceans, seven pinnipeds, and the polar bear (Ursus maritimus). All of these species are dependent on sea ice for survival, particularly those requiring ice for breeding. As air and water temperatures increase, additional species previously non-resident in Arctic waters are extending their ranges northward, leading to greater species overlaps and a concomitant increased risk of disease transmission. In this study, we review the literature documenting disease presence in Arctic marine mammals to understand the current causes of morbidity and mortality in these species and forecast future disease issues. Our review highlights potential pathogen occurrence in a changing Arctic environment, discussing surveillance methods for 35 specific pathogens, identifying risk factors associated with these diseases, as well as making recommendations for future monitoring for emerging pathogens. Several of the pathogens discussed have the potential to cause unusual mortality events in AMMs. Brucella, morbillivirus, influenza A virus, and Toxoplasma gondii are all of concern, particularly with the relative naivety of the immune systems of endemic Arctic species. There is a clear need for increased surveillance to understand baseline disease levels and address the gravity of the predicted impacts of climate change on marine mammal species.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of Circumpolar Arctic Marine Mammal Health—A Call to Action in a Time of Rapid Environmental Change

et al. 2023

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“…However, we did not find data on natural infection with IAV, although antibodies against IAVs were detected in guinea pigs raised as livestock in Ecuador [375]. Whales have also been found to be infected with IAV [376][377][378][379]. Mathematical models predicted that AIV transmission by whales via faecal matter along the Atlantic Coast was several times greater than that by migratory birds [380].…”

Section: Other Mammalsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Zoonotic Animal Influenza Virus and Potential Mixing Vessel Hosts

Abdelwhab

Mettenleiter

2023

Viruses

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Influenza viruses belong to the family Orthomyxoviridae with a negative-sense, single-stranded segmented RNA genome. They infect a wide range of animals, including humans. From 1918 to 2009, there were four influenza pandemics, which caused millions of casualties. Frequent spillover of animal influenza viruses to humans with or without intermediate hosts poses a serious zoonotic and pandemic threat. The current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic overshadowed the high risk raised by animal influenza viruses, but highlighted the role of wildlife as a reservoir for pandemic viruses. In this review, we summarize the occurrence of animal influenza virus in humans and describe potential mixing vessel or intermediate hosts for zoonotic influenza viruses. While several animal influenza viruses possess a high zoonotic risk (e.g., avian and swine influenza viruses), others are of low to negligible zoonotic potential (e.g., equine, canine, bat and bovine influenza viruses). Transmission can occur directly from animals, particularly poultry and swine, to humans or through reassortant viruses in “mixing vessel” hosts. To date, there are less than 3000 confirmed human infections with avian-origin viruses and less than 7000 subclinical infections documented. Likewise, only a few hundreds of confirmed human cases caused by swine influenza viruses have been reported. Pigs are the historic mixing vessel host for the generation of zoonotic influenza viruses due to the expression of both avian-type and human-type receptors. Nevertheless, there are a number of hosts which carry both types of receptors and can act as a potential mixing vessel host. High vigilance is warranted to prevent the next pandemic caused by animal influenza viruses.

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