"For the past 60 years, researchers have collected data on the seals, including their population dynamics, geographic distribution and feeding habits. The team spends every day during breeding season getting to know individual seals and documenting their behavior. So, when some seal pups were found dead and others began showing strange symptoms such as weakness and tremors, researchers noticed right away."
"The UCSC team worked with UC Davis scientists to collect and test samples from the sick and dead pups. The results confirmed that at least seven weaned pups were infected with influenza A, subtype H5N1 more commonly known as avian influenza or bird flu."
Scientists from UC Santa Cruz's Beltran and Costa labs conduct a 60-year research project on elephant seals at Año Nuevo State Park, monitoring population dynamics, geographic distribution, and feeding habits during the annual breeding season from December through March. When elephant seal pups exhibited unusual symptoms including weakness and tremors, researchers immediately investigated. Collaboration with UC Davis scientists led to sample collection and testing, which confirmed that at least seven weaned pups were infected with avian influenza A, subtype H5N1. Additional samples from 60 more elephant seals are currently undergoing testing to determine the extent of the outbreak.
Read at www.santacruzsentinel.com
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