Clinical signs in free-ranging Guiana dolphins Sotalia guianensis during a morbillivirus epidemic: case study in Sepetiba Bay, Brazil

From November 2017 to March 2018, a cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) outbreak caused an unprecedented mass mortality among Guiana dolphins Sotalia guianensis in Ilha Grande Bay and Sepetiba Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Small boat surveys were conducted to document the behavior and clinical signs presen...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Diseases of aquatic organisms 2019-03, Vol.133 (3), p.175-180
Main Authors: Flach, Leonardo, Alonso, Mariana B, Marinho, Thaís, Van Waerebeek, Koen, Van Bressem, Marie-Françoise
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Airway management
Anthropogenic factors
Aquatic mammals
Ataxia
Case studies
Cetacea
Constellations
Dolphins
Dolphins & porpoises
Epidemics
Lesions
Marine mammals
Outbreaks
Respiratory tract
Skin diseases
Sotalia guianensis
Stranding
Swimming
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Summary:From November 2017 to March 2018, a cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) outbreak caused an unprecedented mass mortality among Guiana dolphins Sotalia guianensis in Ilha Grande Bay and Sepetiba Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Small boat surveys were conducted to document the behavior and clinical signs presented by diseased dolphins. We observed 5 abnormally behaving, disoriented Guiana dolphins on separate days, of which 1 died stranded and 2 sank. Signs of ataxia included difficulties with swimming and maintaining a course, balance and buoyancy. At least 40 other individuals were emaciated, and 10 photo-identified dolphins had miscellaneous skin lesions, some ulcerated. Labored breathing suggestive of airway obstruction was heard in several groups. These neurological, respiratory and cutaneous signs may comprise part of the clinical constellation of CeMV infection in dolphins. The combined threat of anthropogenic pressures and CeMV lethal disease is of concern for the survival of the Guiana dolphin population in Sepetiba Bay.
ISSN:0177-5103
1616-1580
DOI:10.3354/dao03343