Scientific American reports that symptoms of a mysterious disease that has killed seals off Alaska and infected walruses is now apperaring in polar bears. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that nine polar bears from the Beaufort Sea region near Barrow were found with patchy hair loss and oozing sores on their skin, similar to conditions found in diseased seals and walruses. Unlike the sickened seals and walruses, the affected polar bears seem otherwise healthy and there has been no deaths among polar bears.
The disease outbreak was first noticed last summer. About 60 seals were found dead and another 75 diseased, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Most of the affected seals are ringed seals, but diseased ribbon, bearded and spotted seals were also found. Several walruses in northwestern Alaska were found with the disease, and some of those died as well, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Concerning, radiation sickness has been ruled out but hopefully the course will be identified soon
Source: Scientific American
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