Drones find virus in Arctic whales’ breath

A highly infectious virus, cetacean morbillivirus, has been detected in the breath of whales in the Arctic, leading to significant mortality among these mammals. Researchers from King’s College London and The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies used drones to sample respiratory droplets and found the virus in humpback, sperm, and fin whales. The virus damages respiratory and immune systems, raising concerns about potential outbreaks during winter aggregations. The study aims to improve long-term surveillance of whale health amid emerging threats.

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