Can marine mammals catch illnesses from humans? |
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During an interview with Lena Measures, Research Scientist at the Maurice Lamontagne Institute, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Whales online asked her the following question : Can marine mammals catch illnesses from humans ?L.M.: Humans can have an impact on the health of marine mammals even though our two worlds appear very distinct. The immune system’s efficiency can be diminished by the spread of chemical pollution through the food chain. Marine mammals therefore become more susceptible to viral, bacterial or parasitic infection, including respiratory illnesses which are particularly harmful for diving animals. For example, on examination of beluga whales found on the shoreline of the St. Lawrence, 90% are discovered to have lungworm infections in the lung parenchyma. Lungworm is the cause of death of 60 % of young beluga whales examined, aged between one and five years. As well as chemical pollution, humans can accidentally introduce pathogens into the marine environment. The discharge of agricultural products and untreated, or inefficiently treated, human waste can introduce pathogens such as Giardia, Cryptosporidium, or Toxoplasma gondii into marine mammal habitats. Other pathogens can be transferred to a habitat by the introduction of exotic animals or the rehabilitation of captive marine mammals into the wild. Why should we be concerned by the introduction of pathogens by humans into the marine environment? Ordinarily, marine mammals are not exposed to these types of pathogens and the infection of a few animals could result in an epidemic. Therefore, our research aims to discover pathogens that infect marine mammals, to identify their source, and to compile recommendations that will decrease the eventual risk of a catastrophe. The case of the St. Lawrence beluga is particularly alarming, as this small, endangered population is not genetically diverse which could affect its ability to adapt to new pathogens. |
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