Emerging Infectious Diseases (Apr 2023)

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

  • Lonneke L. 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

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2904.221698
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 29, no. 4
pp. 835 – 838

Abstract

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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.

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