The National Veterinary Institute of Sweden has reported that a porpoise that stranded in June has died from avian influenza.
Porpoise. (Illustrative image – IStock).
According to an announcement from the National Veterinary Institute of Sweden on August 31, this is the first time this virus has been detected in porpoises.
Veterinarian Elina Thorsson stated: “It is likely that the porpoise came into contact with infected poultry in some way.”
Previously, this male porpoise was found alive and stranded on a beach in western Sweden at the end of June. Despite efforts from locals to help it swim back to deeper waters, it became exhausted and died later that same day.
Dr. Thorsson noted that they discovered H5N1 avian influenza virus residing in the animal’s body.
“In contrast to seals, which frequently suffer from diseases caused by influenza viruses, there are very few reports of marine mammals infected with influenza viruses,” the veterinarian pointed out.
Previously, the H5N1 virus has also been found in other mammals such as red foxes, otters, lynxes, and skunks.
Europe and North America are currently experiencing a significant outbreak of avian influenza among wild bird populations.
