Morbilivirus infections and environmental contaminants in cetaceans
International workshop
Rome, June 18-19, Ispra Auditorium, via Curtatone 7
Over the past 20 years at least 8 morbillivirus epidemics against marine mammals have been reported, which have seriously endangered their conservation status. Despite the numerous studies on the topic, there are still many gaps in knowledge on the biology of infections and on their causes. At the moment, the epidemic morbillivirus in the Mediterranean Sea, partly driven by the presence of persistent organic contaminants (POPs), is considered one of the main causes on the infections. The concentration of POPs and other PCBs in the tissues of cetaceans is among the highest recorded in animals on a global scale.