Phocine distemper virus (PDV) is a contagious viral pathogen that affects marine mammals, specifically phocine seals such as harbor seals, gray seals, and hooded seals. It belongs to the family Paramyxoviridae and the genus Morbillivirus.
PDV is responsible for causing phocine distemper, a highly infectious and often fatal disease in seals. The virus primarily affects the respiratory and nervous systems, leading to symptoms such as pneumonia, conjunctivitis, skin lesions, and neurological disorders. Infected seals often exhibit coughing, sneezing, difficulty in breathing, fever, and lethargy.
The transmission of PDV occurs through direct contact between infected and healthy individuals, as well as through inhalation or ingestion of the virus from the environment. The virus can survive in the environment for prolonged periods, persisting in infected secretions, excretions, and contaminated surfaces.
Outbreaks of PDV have been observed across various regions, with a significant impact on seal populations. Large-scale mortality events have been documented, particularly in the Atlantic and North Sea, resulting in detrimental effects on the stability and conservation of seal populations.
Efforts to control and prevent PDV include monitoring the health status of seal populations, vaccination campaigns, and implementing measures to limit the spread of the virus. Collaboration between researchers, conservationists, and governmental organizations is crucial in managing the impact of PDV on marine mammal populations.
