First fatal leptospirosis confirmed in California sea otters, with the same bacterial serogroup found in sea lions, adding to a coastal mystery
Researchers confirmed leptospirosis as a fatal bacterial disease in southern sea otters. This finding marks the first documented deaths from this infection in the threatened marine mammal. The same Leptospira interrogans serogroup Pomona was identified in affected otters and sea lions. This discovery expands understanding of how the pathogen moves through coastal ecosystems. Further surveillance is needed to determine the bacterium's circulation pathways along California's coast.
Researchers confirmed leptospirosis as a fatal bacterial disease in southern sea otters. This finding marks the first documented deaths from this infection in the threatened marine mammal. The same Leptospira interrogans serogroup Pomona was identified in affected otters and sea lions. This discovery expands understanding of how the pathogen moves through coastal ecosystems. Further surveillance is needed to determine the bacterium's circulation pathways along California's coast.
