Scientists say this is the first time marine mammals have been found to carry the H1N1 flu virus. The seals seem to have picked up the virus while at sea but we do not know how this happened. Contact with humans carrying the virus is unlikely when the elephant seals are at sea, because the creatures spend most of their time looking for food in the Pacific Ocean off the continental shelf.
Exposure to humans could have occurred through feces dumped out of shipping vessels passing through this area. The researchers noted in their report in the journal this week that H1N1 has been detected in fecal samples of hospital patients. Another possible avenue of transmission might have been contact with aquatic birds which could hold other forms of the virus
Nos theme:
Science is collaborative.
Science is always subject to debate
Science is always changing
Its very interesting that the virus has been transmitted to different spiecies. It's unfortunate that they don't know how the virus was spread. I found another article that states that the virus was found in other animals, like cheetahs.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/discond/Pages/H1N1Animals.aspx