Drones Detect Deadly Whale Virus in Arctic Breath Samples
Researchers use drones to sample whale breath and skin in Arctic waters, revealing cetacean morbillivirus and underscoring the need for ongoing health monitoring of Arctic marine life.
In a pioneering Arctic study, researchers used drones to sample whale breath and skin to check for infectious agents without disturbing the animals. The goal is to track threats to wild whales as climate change reshapes their habitat.
How the study worked
Teams flew drones equipped with sterile petri dishes to collect droplets from the exhaled breath of humpback, fin and sperm whales, alongside boat-based skin biopsies. The method lets scientists monitor pathogens while whales remain calm.
Key finding: a viral threat above the Arctic
Researchers confirmed the presence of a deadly virus known as cetacean morbillivirus in Arctic waters. The illness spreads rapidly among whales, dolphins and porpoises and can cause severe disease and die-offs. It can jump between species and travel across oceans, posing a broad risk to marine life.
Why this matters
Using drone-based breath sampling offers a non-invasive way to detect outbreaks early, giving scientists time to respond before widespread effects occur. The study was led by researchers from King's College London and the Royal School of Veterinary Studies in the United Kingdom, in collaboration with Nord University in Norway, and is published in BMC Veterinary Research. The researchers emphasize ongoing, long-term surveillance to understand how multiple stressors affect whale health in a changing Arctic.
Expert views
Prof. Terry Dawson of King's College London says the method is a game changer for whale health, because it allows monitoring without stressing the animals. Helena Costa of Nord University adds that sustained, long-term monitoring is essential to understand how emerging pressures shape whale health in the years ahead.
Summary
Drone-based breath sampling marks a new era in marine health surveillance. It provides a non-invasive way to detect pathogens in wild whales and reveals that cetacean morbillivirus is circulating above the Arctic Circle. The approach highlights the need for ongoing monitoring as Arctic ecosystems continue to change.
Drone-based breath sampling provides a non-invasive early warning system for Arctic whale health. Read more at BBC News. BBC News article.
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