New Deadly Virus Killing Marine Mammals Linked to Global Warming

Global warming is impacting marine mammals in a new way. A deadly virus that was isolated to European harbor seals in the Atlantic ocean has now spread to sea lions, seals and otters in the Pacific.

The virus is called phocine distemper virus and it does not affect humans. An article published in Scientific Reports shows how melting sea ice has opened up the door to move this virus across oceans. Without sea ice, mammals can move around more freely. The virus infects respiratory and nervous systems of the animals.

Corresponding author Tracey Goldstein, associate director of the One Health Institute at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, said of the findings from the 15-year study, “The loss of sea ice is leading marine wildlife to seek and forage in new habitats and removing that physical barrier, allowing for new pathways for them to move. As animals move and come in contact with other species, they carry opportunities to introduce and transmit new infectious disease, with potentially devastating impacts.”

More animals are getting sick due to these changes. Climate change is also impacting animal health in other ways, algae is causing marine animals to fall ill and the increased tick population is also getting animals sick.

Study lead author Elizabeth VanWormer said, “When we see these changes happening in animals, we can’t ignore them, because the impacts on people and the planet are not far behind.This shows how interconnected these things are — the health of people, animals and the planet.”

Human activity also kills marine life. More than 100,000 marine animals die each year because of ghost fishing gear left in the ocean. You may not be sure how to help protect marine animals from Climate change, but you can sign this petition if you want them to be protected from ghost gear.

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