Swine flu virus found in seals for the first time

Researchers have detected H1N1 virus, that created a worldwide pandemic in 2009, in elephant seals off the coast of central California — the first report of the flu strain in any marine mammal.

Researchers have detected H1N1 virus, that created a worldwide pandemic in 2009, in elephant seals off the coast of central California — the first report of the flu strain in any marine mammal.

HT Image

Scientists at the University of California, Davis, detected the virus. “We thought we might find influenza viruses, found in marine mammals, but we did not expect to find the pandemic H1N1,” said lead author Tracey Goldstein, associate professor with the UC Davis One Health Institute.