Avian influenza A(H10N7) virus involvement in mass mortality of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) in Sweden, March through October 2014

S Zohari; A Neimanis; T Härkönen; C Moraeus; J F Valarcher

doi:10.2807/1560-7917.ES2014.19.46.20967

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Avian influenza A(H10N7) virus involvement in mass mortality of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) in Sweden, March through October 2014
S Zohari¹ , A Neimanis² , T Härkönen³ , C Moraeus³ , J F Valarcher¹
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Affiliations: ¹ Department of Virology, Immunobiology and Parasitology, National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden ² Department of Pathology and Wildlife Diseases, Wildlife Section, National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden ³ Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden

Correspondence:
S Zohari
siamak.zohari sva.se
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Citation style for this article: Zohari S, Neimanis A, Härkönen T, Moraeus C, Valarcher J F. Avian influenza A(H10N7) virus involvement in mass mortality of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) in Sweden, March through October 2014. Euro Surveill. 2014;19(46):pii=20967. https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES2014.19.46.20967 Received: 12 Nov 2014

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Abstract

We provide the first scientific report of influenza A virus involvement in a mass mortality event among harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) off the west coast of Sweden. Avian influenza A (H10N7) virus was detected in the lungs of two affected animals. This subtype has not been reported in seals to date, nor has influenza A-associated mortality been reported in seals in Europe. Circulation of avian influenza viruses in mammals may have implications for public health.