Prevalence of influenza A virus in live-captured North Atlantic gray seals: a possible wild reservoir

• DOI: 10.1038/emi.2016.77
• Publication Date: 2016-08-03T07:57:28Z
• Authors: Wendy Blay Puryear; Mandy Keogh; Nichola Hill; Jerry Moxley; Elizabeth Josephson; Kimberly Ryan Davis; Chistopher Bandoro; Damian Lidgard; Andrea Bogomolni; Milton Levin; Shelley Lang; Michael Hammill; Don Bowen; David W Johnston; Tracy Romano; Gordon Waring; Jonathan Runstadler
• Keywords: Nova scotia; Disease reservoir

Influenza A virus (IAV) has been associated with multiple unusual mortality events (UMEs) in North Atlantic pinnipeds, frequently attributed to spillover of from wild-bird reservoirs. To determine if endemic infection persists outside UMEs, we undertook a multiyear investigation IAV healthy, live-captured Northwest gray seals (Halichoerus grypus). From 2013 2015, sampled 345 pups and 57 adults Cape Cod, MA, USA Nova Scotia, Canada consistently detecting across all groups. There was an overall viral prevalence 9.0% (95% confidence interval (CI): 6.4%-12.5%) weaned 5.3% (CI: 1.2%-14.6%) adults, seroprevalences 19.3% 15.0%-24.5%) 50% 33.7%-66.4%), respectively. Positive sera showed broad reactivity diverse influenza subtypes. status did not correlate measures animal health nor impact movement or foraging. This study demonstrated that are both permissive tolerant IAV, possibly representing endemically infected wild reservoir population.