Why in the News?
Scientists have detected Cetacean morbillivirus in Arctic waters for the first time by collecting breath samples from whales using drones.
About the Study
- Title Deep breath out molecular survey of selected pathogens in blow and skin biopsies from North Atlantic cetaceans
- Published in BMC Veterinary Research
- Lead researcher Helena Costa from Nord University
Species and Regions Covered
- Whale species studied Humpback whale, sperm whale and fin whale
- Regions Northern Norway, Iceland and Cape Verde
- Sample collection period 2022 to 2025
- Over 50 whale blow samples collected
About Cetacean Morbillivirus
- Infectious virus affecting whales, dolphins and porpoises
- First discovered in 1987
- Impacts respiratory and nervous systems
- Known to cause mass strandings and deaths
- Spreads through direct contact and respiratory droplets
Prelims Pointers
- Whale blow refers to exhaled breath from blowholes
- Drones are emerging tools in non invasive wildlife research
- Cetacean morbillivirus is linked to mass marine mammal mortality events
- Arctic disease surveillance is critical under climate change
| [2020] At the present level of technology, which of the above activities can be successfully carried out by using drones?
1. Spraying pesticides on a crop field 2. Inspecting the craters of active volcanoes 3. Collecting breath samples from spouting whales for DNA analysis Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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