Scientists studying the deaths of more than a hundred harbor seals along the New England coast last year say the seals suffered from a new strain of avian flu.
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (AP) — Scientists studying the deaths of more than a hundred harbor seals along the New England coast last year say the seals suffered from a new strain of avian flu.
A new report identifies the cause of death as an influenza A virus "H3N8," which can jump from birds to marine mammals.
It was compiled by scientists at the Center for Infection and Immunity at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health; the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; New England Aquarium; the U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center; SeaWorld; and EcoHealth Alliance.
Katie Pugliares of the New England Aquarium tells the Portsmouth Herald (http://bit.ly/M7GoFj) there's no indication so far that humans are capable of contracting the virus.
The seals were found in Maine, New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts.
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Information from: Portsmouth Herald, http://www.seacoastonline.com