Cetacean Morbillivirus

A team of scientists has used drones to detect the Cetacean morbillivirus, by collecting breath samples from wild whales in the Arctic.

About Cetacean Morbillivirus

• Cetacean morbillivirus is a respiratory and neurological virus affecting dolphins, whales, and porpoises. 
  • Closely related to measles and canine distemper viruses.
• Transmission: It spreads through direct contact and respiratory droplets, affecting marine mammals’ health severely.
  • Cross-species transmission: Can affect various cetacean species.
• Region: Since its discovery in 1987, it has led to mass strandings and deaths, particularly in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean.
  • Recently been detected in Arctic waters, particularly among humpback and sperm whales.
• Diagnosis: Often detected post-mortem, making early surveillance difficult.

About Whale 

• Whales are large, marine mammals that belong to the order Cetacea.
• Whales are classified into two major families based on their feeding structures: Baleen Whales (Mysticeti) and Toothed Whales (Odontoceti).

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