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Why are there still diseases such as the Sealpox Virus when humans…
Why are there still diseases such as the Sealpox Virus when humans intervene with endangered species? Does this infection explain why it's taking so long for the population to increase?
What is sealpox?
Sealpox normally exists in pinnipeds (seals or sea lions), but it can spread to humatextns and other species. Some symptoms that come from this disease are firm skin nodules (abnormal growth of tissue) growing on head, neck and throat of the suffering seal. These nodules can also be found in clusters on the abdomen, flippers or oral cavity. The flaming pain is excruciating, but usually the animals are healed within a few weeks leaving furless scars. The few weeks of being ill can be quite extreme, but the death rates are generally low except for babies when infections interfere with feeding. This disease is quite contagious and can be transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact. This is often how humans can get the disease.
Is it contagious?
The Sealpox Virus is a zoonotic disease meaning it can infect both humans and animals. This virus is considered highly contagious and can spread even with light physical contact, like slightly brushing your hand over the infected animal.
Can it kill the animals infected? Yes, this virus can kill either humans or animals, but the rates are generally low. Interestingly enough though , some animals are euthanized because the pain from the virus is too extreme. If a seal mother has the infection it's most likely that the pup will get the virus as well and die because of it's weak immune system.
How common is this virus? Although it's considered a rare diseases, it would be considered notifiable in the United States.
Is there a cure? There is no cure, but sometimes the animals are given a bit of treatment or medicine to help with the pain or scars.
Are some seals immune to this virus? We know of only 8 species for sure that are harmed by the virus. This may mean that some species are immune.
Which species are harmed by the virus? Grey seals, Harbour seals, Harp seals, Northern fur seals, Northern elephant seals, California sea lions, Stellar sea lions, South American seal lions.
Is there a vaccine? No not specifically for this virus.
Are Northern Fur Seals only catching this virus at the rehabilitation centres?
Cases of Sealpox without human intervention:
Are we blaming the rehabilitation centres for no reason?
Compare whether or not more seals are dying without human intervention or with human intervention
Cases of Sealpox with human intervention: Approximately 1/5 of seals with sealpox are found in rehabilitation centres
Are humans helping these animals in the wrong way? The rehabilitation centres aren't necessarily causing the disease, but they aren't putting in enough effort to stop the disease from spreading.
Are we hurting more than helping? This question really depends if you believe euthanizing is helping or if it's better to let the animals suffer during the incubation period?
How else can we be offering help to this endangered species? I believe there needs to be more focus on providing medication and treatment for the suffering animals. There also needs to be better safety and protection protocols to follow so humans can't get the virus.
There are examples of seals cases of sealpox that are so severe that it causes so much stress it requires euthanasia
Is it ethical for specialist to euthanize seals in distress? Yes it helps the virus not spread to others, but is it the best way to treat these animals? Perhaps there is a way we could quarantine the infected animals?
Presentation ideas:
Why are seals still endangered? Since it's illegal to hunt them shouldn't their population be increasing?
Aim to share with the my audience the reasons why seals are still endangered
Use makey makey to display the anatomy of the virus itself
For example: how you can catch the virus, the symptoms included, can it be cured, ect.
I wil create buttons that will take you through the process of how the virus causes the infection.
There will be a presentation that becomes triggered by the makey makey buttons that shows all the information of the virus.
Are all rehabilitation centres causing this disease?
Are the rehabilitation centres taking action?
How are they helping the animals now?
If rehabilitation centres aren't really helping than what can they do instead?
Add articles about these centres and quotes from scientists about what their plan of action is
Is it something the animals are eating or is it the environment that is causing this disease? If a seal eats something that was contaminated with a parapoxvirus than it is most likely they will receive this virus.
Do seals need to change their diet or habitats? When seals are malnourished they have a higher chance of getting this virus, so it's important seals have lots of healthy nutrition.
It's not just rehabilitation centres, but zoo's also have cases of sealpox.
