Coinfection with Dolphin Morbillivirus Stranded in Sri Lanka

Following the X-Press Pearl maritime disaster off the coast of Sri Lanka, a stranded spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris ) was recovered, and the cause of death was investigated. Post-mortem examinations revealed evidence of by-catch, but a natural coinfection with dolphin morbillivirus (DMV) and gammaherpesvirus was detected by further analyses, marking the first documented case of a dual viral infection in this species within the region. Molecular diagnostics, including PCR and sequencing, were performed on tissue imprints collected on FTA[sup.®] cards, confirming the presence of DMV in the prescapular lymph node and gammaherpesvirus in the lesions in the oral cavity. The concurrent detection of DMV and gammaherpesvirus raises significant concerns regarding the potential impacts of environmental stressors, such as chemical pollutants from the X-Press Pearl maritime disaster, on exacerbating susceptibility to viral infections in marine mammals. These findings highlight the need for ongoing surveillance of cetacean populations in the Indian Ocean to better understand pathogen circulation and health and conservation implications of anthropogenic activities on the marine ecosystem.