The unique case comes in the wake of a massive outbreak of bird flu that hit Scandinavia and other parts of Europe, leaving coastlines strewn with hundreds of thousands of dead seabirds. Environmental watchdogs have described the situation as a “disaster” and are warning of dire consequences for both wildlife and domestic fowl.
The Swedish National Veterinary Institute (SVA) has confirmed what appears to be the world's first case of the bird flu virus in a porpoise.
The medical analysis indicated that the porpoise died as a result of the same virus that was behind this summer's extensive bird flu outbreak among wild birds and waterfowl.
The young male porpoise was stranded alive in Kämpersvik in the north of Västra Götaland county, earlier this summer. Despite repeated attempts by private individuals to return it to deeper water, it seemed to be too exhausted, got entangled in seaweed, and died later the same evening. The porpoise was subsequently transported to the SVA for an autopsy.
Poster Comment:
Bill Gates paid $12 million to the man who crossed bird flu with Spanish flu and then crossed that with two of the most contagious strains of influenza available. Bird flu has been transmitted to humans in China and the US.