POSSIBLE CA– USE OF DOLPHIN DEATHS IDENTIFIED

Officials with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration think they know what is causing hundreds of dolphins to wash up dead along the east coast. Four dolphins from New Jersey and 27 total have tested positive for morbillivirus, a disease that reached epidemic proportions back in 1987 among the dolphin population. Since July 1st of this year, nearly 300 dolphins have been found dead from New York to North Carolina. Morbillivirus is similar to measles or canine distemper, and can be spread from one dolphin to another.