Detection of Novel Poxvirus from Gray Seal (Halichoerus grypus), Germany

Abstract

We detected a novel poxvirus from a gray seal (Halichoerus grypus) from the North Sea, Germany. The juvenile animal showed pox-like lesions and deteriorating overall health condition and was finally euthanized. Histology, electron microscopy, sequencing, and PCR confirmed a previously undescribed poxvirus of the Chordopoxvirinae subfamily, tentatively named Wadden Sea poxvirus.

Keywords

• poxvirus
• viruses
• zoonoses
• poxviridae
• Chordopoxvirinae
• seals