Stock photo of a dolphin not the late K2.Photo: Getty
A dead dolphin found in a Florida canal in March was infected with the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly known as the bird flu, at the time of his death based on the findings of Florida researchers.
According to theUniversity of Florida Health, this is the first known instance of bird flu detected in a cetacean — an order of marine mammals that includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises — found in the United States. The only other known bird flu case in a cetacean was identified in a Swedish porpoise in late August, perThe New York Times.
The male bottlenose dolphin was found dead in March at Horseshoe Beach in Florida’s Dixie County. After the University of Florida’s marine animal rescue team discovered the animal, the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine later tested the dead dolphin and detected the avian influenza virus.
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“Unfortunately, I think this is maybe just sort of a sign of what’s to come should this virus not disappear,” he said.
Male cormorant.Getty
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, HPAI has affected over 40 million birds across 36 states in 2022. The outbreak has ledzoos across the countryto temporarily close their bird exhibits andhas been linked to seal strandings. The Department of Natural Resources in Michigan and Illinois also recommended that residents temporarilyremove their bird feedersand birdbaths from outside.
In April, the CDC confirmed thefirst human case of this strain of bird fluin an inmate in a Colorado prison. The man contracted the disease after direct exposure to infected poultry. Despite this finding, health officials say the health risk assessment remains low for humans and that the Colorado man has since recovered from his case.
source: people.com
