Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 infection in stranded porpoises and dolphins in Chile
7 affiliations
- 1Servicio Nacional de Pesca y Acuicultura , ,
- 2Departamento de Medicina Preventiva Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile , ,
- 3Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety, Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria , ,
- 4Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero , ,
- 5Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello , ,
- 6Departamento de Patología y Medicina Preventiva, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción , ,
- 7Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Medicina y Facultad de Agronomía y Sistemas Naturales, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile , ,
Abstract
Between 2022 and 2023, a significant increase in mortality among marine birds and pinnipeds along the Pacific coasts of Peru and Chile was linked to the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV H5N1). In response, the Chilean Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (SERNAPESCA) initiated a survey to document cetacean strandings and assess the presence of HPAIV H5N1 via molecular analysis of swab samples. In 2023, 205 cetacean stranding events involving 281 individuals were recorded. Of the 27 sampled animals, four, comprising two Burmeister’s porpoises (Phocoena spinipinnis) and two Chilean dolphins (Cephalorhynchus eutropia) from different locations, tested positive for HPAIV H5N1 in spiracle, rectal and genital swabs. Additionally, a necropsy performed on a long-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), which had tested negative on swabs, revealed the presence of HPAIV H5N1 through PCR analysis of lung and brain tissues. Histopathological examination showed mild, multifocal lymphoplasmacytic-histiocytic and suppurative leptomeningitis, consistent with lesions associated with HPAIV H5N1 infection, although immunohistochemistry was negative. While the virus’s pathogenic role in cetaceans remains inconclusive due to the limited number of necropsies performed, the detection of HPAIV H5N1 in five cetaceans (two porpoises and three dolphins), Four through external swabs —and one dolphin through internal organs—alongside with elevated mortality in birds and pinnipeds, suggests a potential association between cetacean strandings and HPAIV H5N1 outbreaks. This epidemiological finding warrants further investigation.
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BibTeX
@article{ulloa2026highly,
title = {{Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 infection in stranded porpoises and dolphins in Chile}},
author = {Mauricio Ulloa and Víctor Neira and Eva Sierra and Ana Colom-Rivero and Gabriela Muñoz and Magdalena Johow and Felipe Lillo and Daniela Rojas and René Ortega and Raúl Alegría-Morán and Antonio Fernández},
journal = {Frontiers in veterinary science},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fvets.2026.1969182},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13729797},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 infection in stranded porpoises and dolphins in Chile
AU - Mauricio Ulloa
AU - Víctor Neira
AU - Eva Sierra
AU - Ana Colom-Rivero
AU - Gabriela Muñoz
AU - Magdalena Johow
AU - Felipe Lillo
AU - Daniela Rojas
AU - René Ortega
AU - Raúl Alegría-Morán
AU - Antonio Fernández
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/20
JO - Frontiers in veterinary science
DO - 10.3389/fvets.2026.1969182
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13729797
AB - Between 2022 and 2023, a significant increase in mortality among marine birds and pinnipeds along the Pacific coasts of Peru and Chile was linked to the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV H5N1). In response, the Chilean Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (SERNAPESCA) initiated a survey to document cetacean strandings and assess the presence of HPAIV H5N1 via molecular analysis of swab samples. In 2023, 205 cetacean stranding events involving 281 individuals were recorded. Of the 27 sampled animals, four, comprising two Burmeister’s porpoises (Phocoena spinipinnis) and two Chilean dolphins (Cephalorhynchus eutropia) from different locations, tested positive for HPAIV H5N1 in spiracle, rectal and genital swabs. Additionally, a necropsy performed on a long-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), which had tested negative on swabs, revealed the presence of HPAIV H5N1 through PCR analysis of lung and brain tissues. Histopathological examination showed mild, multifocal lymphoplasmacytic-histiocytic and suppurative leptomeningitis, consistent with lesions associated with HPAIV H5N1 infection, although immunohistochemistry was negative. While the virus’s pathogenic role in cetaceans remains inconclusive due to the limited number of necropsies performed, the detection of HPAIV H5N1 in five cetaceans (two porpoises and three dolphins), Four through external swabs —and one dolphin through internal organs—alongside with elevated mortality in birds and pinnipeds, suggests a potential association between cetacean strandings and HPAIV H5N1 outbreaks. This epidemiological finding warrants further investigation.
SN - 2297-1769
ER -