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Avian flu, distemper may be to blame for rash of seal deaths in New England, NOAA says


Dead seal{ }(Marine Mammals of Maine){p}{/p}
Dead seal (Marine Mammals of Maine)

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HARPSWELL, Maine (WGME) -- Avian flu and distemper may be to blame for a rash of seal deaths in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Some of the first batch of sampled seals that were stranded during the last several weeks have preliminarily tested positive for either avian influenza or phocine distemper virus, according to NOAA.

In addition, NOAA reports four seals so far have tested positive for both viruses.

NOAA says these are preliminary results based on the first set of samples analyzed by the Tufts University and University of California, Davis laboratories.

NOAA say they have more samples to process and analyze, so it is still too soon to determine if either or both of these viruses are the primary cause of the deaths.

Past seal deaths in the northeastern U.S. coast have been linked to avian flu and distemper, according to NOAA.

However, NOAA reports avian flu and distemper have also been detected at low levels in seals along the northeastern U.S. coast in non-outbreak years.

Linda Doughty, the executive director of Marine Mammals of Maine, says since Sunday, they've responded to 40 more seals, both dead and alive, leaving them at a total of almost 180 since August 12.

NOAA has said the average for stranded seals in August is 38.4.

To report a stranded marine mammal or sea turtle between Kittery and Rockland, Maine, call Marine Mammals of Maine at 1-800-532-9551. Please remain at least 150 feet away from all marine mammals.

Related:

Experts investigating mysterious seal deaths in Southern Maine

More dead seals wash up on Maine beaches


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