Detection of novel poxvirus from gray seal (Halichoerus grypus), Germany

Pfaff, Florian; Kramer, Katharina; King, Jacqueline; Franzke, Kati; Rosenberger, Tanja; Höper, Dirk; König, Patricia; Hoffmann, Donata; Beer, Martin

doi:10.3201/eid2906.221817

Article Mon Apr 24 2023 CC BY 4.0

refereed

published

Detection of novel poxvirus from gray seal (Halichoerus grypus), Germany

Pfaff, Florian ; Kramer, Katharina; King, Jacqueline ; Franzke, Kati ; Rosenberger, Tanja; Höper, Dirk ; König, Patricia ; Hoffmann, Donata ; Beer, Martin

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.