Understanding Interspecies Transmission and Spread of a Deadly Marine Virus

During the last 25 years, marine morbilliviruses have infected whales, dolphins, porpoises and seals worldwide, resulting in the death of tens of thousands of marine mammals. One strain, dolphin morbillivirus (DMV), is implicated in a mass die-off of more than 1,500 bottlenose dolphins in the Atlantic region. Researchers will study how DMV affects different marine animals, including identifying reservoir host species – animals that are disease carriers without apparent ill effects. Findings will be used for modeling DMV disease dynamics. This data will help researchers develop DMV intervention plans and disease-risk assessment strategies which are especially valuable for the health and conservation of threatened and endangered marine mammal species.