SAN DIEGO (AP) -- A highly contagious virus responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Atlantic and Mediterranean dolphins has been detected for the first time in a Pacific marine mammal, biologists say.
The infected common dolphin beached itself Aug. 21 near Marina Del Rey and was taken to Sea World for rehabilitation. Routine blood tests performed prior to its scheduled release showed the presence of morbillivirus, which attacks the immune system.
"We didn't release it back into the wild for fear of contaminating all the other animals out there," said Joe Cordaro, a wildlife biologist with the National Marine Fisheries Service in Long Beach.
Researchers do not know how the dolphin caught the virus, whether it is common -- but so far undetected -- in the Pacific and how it is transmitted between dolphins.
And it's unclear what will happen to the female common dolphin, which has so far shown no symptoms of disease and remains in captivity at Sea World. More tests will determine whether it was shedding the virus.
The virus, which is related to distemper in dogs and measles in humans, threatens only dolphins and some types of whales. Other varieties affect sea lions, Cordaro said.