Infectious diseases may also play an important role in morbidity and mortality. Although viruses have been identified only from Florida manatees, parasites and bacteria have been observed in at least three of the four sirenian species. The viruses that have been detected in Florida manatees include trichechid herpesvirus 1 (TrHV-1) and manatee papillomaviruses (TmPV) 1 through 4. Mycobacteriosis has reportedly led to mortality in captive Florida manatees and illness in Amazonian manatees while bacteria such as Vibrio, Pasteurella, Pseudomonas, Streptococcus, and Clostridium have been cultured from dead dugongs in Australia. Salmonellosis has been associated with mortality in dugongs since at least 1981. Although not well studied, the Senegal manatee is known to host the nematode Heterocheilus tunicatus, just as its sister species the West Indian manatee does. There is still a great deal to learn about the threat that infectious diseases pose to both wild and captive populations of manatees. The relationship between the presence of certain potential pathogens, including those listed above, and their effect on disease in individuals is still largely unknown, although many wild manatees are found to be positive for papillomavirus with no known negative health effects. Immunosuppressed individuals that test positive for papillomavirus can sometimes develop cutaneous lesions; however, cutaneous papillomatosis is not always correlated with a papillomavirus infection, and further study is warranted.
Infectious diseases may also play an important role in morbidity and mortality Although viruses have been identified only from Florida manatees parasites and bacteria have been observed in at least three of the four sirenian species The viruses that have been detected in Florida manatees include trichechid herpesvirus 1 (TrHV-1) and manatee papillomaviruses (TmPV) 1 through 4 Mycobacteriosis has reportedly led to mortality in captive Florida manatees and illness in Amazonian manatees while bacteria such as Vibrio Pasteurella Pseudomonas Streptococcus and Clostridium have been cultured from dead dugongs in Australia Salmonellosis has been associated with mortality in dugongs since at least 1981 Although not well studied the Senegal manatee is known to host the nematode Heterocheilus tunicatus just as its sister species the West Indian manatee does There is still a great deal to learn about the threat that infectious diseases pose to both wild and captive populations of manatees The relationship between the presence of certain potential pathogens including those listed above and their effect on disease in individuals is still largely unknown although many wild manatees are found to be positive for papillomavirus with no known negative health effects Immunosuppressed individuals that test positive for papillomavirus can sometimes develop cutaneous lesions; however cutaneous papillomatosis is not always correlated with a papillomavirus infection and further study is warranted