Harbor Porpoise Deaths Associated with Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, the Netherlands, 2021

Lonneke L.I. IJsseldijk, Lineke Begeman, Birgitta Duim, Andrea Gröne, Marja J.L. Kik, Mirjam D. Klijnstra, Jan Lakemeyer, Mardik F. Leopold, Bas B.Oude Munnink, Mariel ten Doeschate, Linde van Schalkwijk, Aldert Zomer, Linda van der Graaf-Van Bloois, Els M. Broens*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

In August 2021, a large-scale mortality event affected harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in the Netherlands. Pathology and ancillary testing of 22 animals indicated that the most likely cause of death was Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae infection. This zoonotic agent poses a health hazard for cetaceans and possibly for persons handling cetacean carcasses.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)835-838
Number of pages4
JournalEmerging Infectious Diseases
Volume29
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2023

Bibliographical note

Acknowledgments
We thank all volunteers and organizations of the Dutch Stranding Network for their tremendous efforts and work to document stranded porpoises during the event. Necropsies were assisted by Louis van den Boom, Natashja Ennen-Buijs, Olle Juch, Darryl Leydekkers, Immelie Coenen Morales, Jan Mosterd, Eva Schotanus, and Ruby Wagensveld. We also thank Judith van den Brand for her input in the discussions of the ancillary testing. Virology was conducted at Erasmus MC, with special thanks to Marco van de Bildt, Irina Chestakova, Marjan Boter, Babette Weller, Reina Sikkema, and Marion Koopmans. Bacteriology was conducted at the Veterinary Microbiological Diagnostic Center, for which we thank all staff involved. Stomach investigations were conducted at Wageningen Marine Research with the help of Guido Keijl and Eva Schotanus. Algae toxin research was carried out by Wageningen Food Safety Research with the help of Domenique van der Horst.

The research was financed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (project no. 1400012118), for which we are especially grateful for the help of Anne-Marie Svoboda and Sandra van der Graaf.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Authors. All rights reserved.

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