HC Deb 09 November 1988 vol 140 cc212-4W
Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what evidence he has of porpoises, dolphins and other cetaceans being infected by the North sea seals virus or related viruses in United Kingdom coastal waters.

Mr. Viggers

[holding answer 4 November 1988]: Three dead porpoises have been received at the Department of Agriculture veterinary laboratory in Belfast from Strangford Lough and Newcastle, Co. Down. Pathological and virological examinations on two of these have shown gross and microscopic lesions of pneumonia and encephalitis identical to those seen in seals found to have been infected with a virus from the same virus group as canine distemper. Similar viral antigens have been found in both the seals and porpoises. Studies are continuing on the relationship of these viruses to canine distemper.

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