Common Seals   Information on Dead Seals  Status Reports No. 29 - 36  (September 2002)   Common Wadden Sea Secretariat, Wilhelmshaven Recent Status Reports   Reports September 2002 Status Report No. 36 (27.09.02) Status Report No. 35 (24.09.02) Status Report No. 34 (20.09.02) Status Report No. 33 (13.09.02) Status Report No. 32 (10.09.02) Status Report No. 31 (06.09.02) Status Report No. 30 (03.09.02) Status Report No. 29 (02.09.02) Status Report No. 36 (27.09.2002): NEWS – Denmark The results of the investigations of the samples of dead common seals found in the Limfjord (in total 23 dead seals found in September) and in the Danish Baltic Sea area at the coast of Falster, Møn and South-Lolland (in total 11 dead seals found in September) have not come in yet. NEWS – Belgium The high stranding number of dead common seals in Belgium has not continued over the last days. NEWS – United Kingdom Between 18 September and 24 September, 308 dead seals have been reported around the UK bringing it up to a total of 1,794 since the beginning of the outbreak. The majority of these (1,603) have been from the English coast. In England, 59 post-mortem examinations have been carried out, 31 have been confirmed as positive for pdv, four have been confirmed as negative for pdv and the results from 24 post-mortems are pending. See map below for regional information on reported dead seals and confirmed pdv cases in England. Seals that died in rehabilitation centers after a period greater than one week have been excluded from these data. In Scotland, there has now been a total of 114 reported dead seals (18 common seals, 20 grey seals and 76 species indeterminate). Nine post-mortem examinations have been carried out and two are pending, but all tests to date have been negative for pdv. In Wales, a total of 49 dead seals have been reported and one post-mortem examination carried out that showed no signs of pdv, although further test results are awaited. A total of 28 dead seals have been reported from Northern Ireland, one post-mortem examination has been carried out and the results are pending.   (26.09.2002 Sea Mammal Research Unit, St. Andrews, UK)   Table: Seal Epidemic 2002 Overview of registered dead seals in the Wadden Sea, the North Sea and the Kattegat-Skagerrak and Baltic Sea area   First date of occurrence of unusual mortality Number of dead common seals (until date) Wadden Sea     Netherlands 16 June 2002 1,874 (26.09.02) Lower Saxony 17 July 2002 2,930 (26.09.02) Hamburg 21 August 2002 173 (26.09.02) Schleswig-Holstein 26 August 2002 1,992 (26.09.02) Denmark 30 August 2002 650 (26.09.02) Wadden Sea Total   7,619       Helgoland 11 August 2002 224 (25.09.02)       Kattegat/Skagerrak     Danish Kattegat / Oresund 07 May 2002 2,016 (26.09.02) Swedish Kattegat / Skagerrak 30 May 2002 about 4,000 (06.09.02) Norwegian Skagerrak 22 June 2002 878 (23.09.02) Kattegat/Skagerrak Total   about 6.900       DK- Limfjord (pdv not yet confirmed) 23 (in September)       Baltic Sea     Danish Baltic Sea:              Falster, Møn, South-Lolland (pdv not yet confirmed) 11 (in September) German Baltic Sea coast Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania 30 August 2002 7 (26.09.02)       Belgium/France 31 July 02 (France) / 18 August 02 (Belgium) 19 (24.09.02)       United Kingdom (common and grey seals) 13 August 2002 1,794 (26.09.02)       All Areas                   TOTAL   about 16,600   Remark: All Status Reports are also published on the homepage: http://www.waddensea-secretariat.org Compiled by: Bettina Reineking Common Wadden Sea Secretariat Wilhelmshaven Reineking@waddensea-secretariat.org phone: +49 4421 9108 14   Status Report No. 35 (24.09.2002): NEWS – Kattegat-Skagerrag area According to Danish, Swedish and Norwegian information the epizootic seems to be mainly over in the Kattegat/Skagerrak area, and only single new/fresh carcasses have been registered in that area. NEWS – German Baltic Sea The two dead common seals, which had been found east of the peninsula Zingst at the German Baltic coast in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania on 30.08 and 01.09., were tested with the Polymerase-Chani-Reaction-method (PCR) with positive results of pdv last week. Additionally, four seals were found with suspicion on pd virus in mid September at the German Baltic coast in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and samples will be investigated. Since the end of August, in total six dead common seals have been registered at the German Baltic coast in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. NEWS – Denmark The results of the investigations of the samples of dead common seals found in the Limfjord and at the coast of South-Lolland  have not come in yet. NEWS – Belgium In Belgium, there is no common seal colony and only a few animals are normally observed in Belgian waters. Each year between 5 and 20 pups of common seals, and a lesser number of grey seal pups strand here. From 18 August to 15 September, 4 dead seals washed ashore. Two of these animals were Morbillivirus positive (see Seal Report 29 from 02.09.02). One of these showed all symptoms of pdv-infection-related death, although this seal had been vaccinated before. One seal pup, originating from France, died at the Sea Life Rehabilitation Center Blankenberge (Belgium) on 31.07.02.  Also this seal was Morbillivirus infection positive (see Seal Report 26 from 21 08.02). Between 18 and 21 September, another two dead seals washed ashore, and one dead seal was observed offshore. On 22 September, eight dead seals, all in a (very) advanced state of decomposition, washed ashore. The animals must have drifted in the North Sea for at least a week.  One pup, which was brought to the Sea Life Rehabilitation Center some days before, died there. The autopsy of this animal revealed all symptoms related to pdv infection. Yesterday (23/9) and today (24/9) up to midday, another four seals washed ashore, one very decomposed, and three very fresh animals. The latter ones possibly originated from a different colony (Zeeland, The Netherlands ?) than the ones that washed ashore on 22/9. The total number of seals washed ashore since 18 August is 19, of which 15 washed ashore during the past seven days. (Jan Haelters, Management Unit of the North Sea Mathematical Models, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Oostende, Belgium) Table: Seal Epidemic 2002 Overview of registered dead seals in the Wadden Sea, the North Sea and the Kattegat-Skagerrak area   First date of occurrence of unusual mortality Number of dead common seals (until date) Wadden Sea     Netherlands 16 June 2002 1,749 (23.09.02) Lower Saxony 17 July 2002 2,721 (24.09.02) Hamburg 21 August 2002 155 (23.09.02) Schleswig-Holstein 26 August 2002 1,735 (23.09.02) Denmark 30 August 2002 583 (23.09.02) Wadden Sea Total   6,943       Helgoland 11 August 2002 221 (23.09.02)       Kattegat/Skagerrak     Danish Kattegat / Oresund 07 May 2002 1,990 (18.09.02) Swedish Kattegat / Skagerrak 30 May 2002 about 4,000 (06.09.02) Norwegian Skagerrak 22 June 2002 878 (23.09.02) Kattegat/Skagerrak Total   about 6.900       DK- Limfjord (pdv not yet confirmed) a few       German BalTic coast Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania 30 August 2002 6 (23.09.02)       Belgium/France 31 July 02 (France) / 18 August 02 (Belgium) 19 (24.09.02)       United Kingdom (common and grey seals) 13 August 2002 1,587 (18.09.02)       All Areas                   TOTAL   about 15,700 Remark: All Status Reports are also published on the homepage: http://www.waddensea-secretariat.org Compiled by: Bettina Reineking Common Wadden Sea Secretariat Wilhelmshaven Reineking@waddensea-secretariat.org phone: +49 4421 9108 14   Status Report No. 34 (20.09.2002): NEWS – Denmark Five dead seals with symptoms of the pdv disease have been found in the Limfjord. Dead animals with signs of pdv have also been found south of Lolland. NEWS – United Kingdom Between 11 September and 17 September, 472 dead seals were reported around the UK bringing the total to 1587 since the beginning of the outbreak.  The majority of these (1325 seals) have been from England, predominantly Lincolnshire, Suffolk, Northumberland and the East Riding of Yorkshire.  67 animals have been sent for post-mortem examination, to date 26 of these have been confirmed PDV cases.  Further test results are awaited.  All but one of the positive cases have been from the Wash area, the one exception was confirmed in a common seal from Essex.  There have now been 95 reported dead seals around Scotland (13 common seals, 17 grey seals, 65 species undetermined).  8 post-mortems have been carried out in Scotland and 2 are pending.  In total there have been 45 dead seals reported from Wales and one post-mortem has been carried out.  22 dead seals have been reported from Northern Ireland and one post-mortem has been carried out.  There have been no confirmed cases of PDV so far in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. (Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St. Andrews).   Table: Seal Epidemic 2002 Overview of registered dead seals in the Wadden Sea, the North Sea and the Kattegat-Skagerrak area   First date of occurrence of unusual mortality Number of dead common seals (until date) Wadden Sea     Netherlands 16 June 2002 1,569 (19.09.02) Lower Saxony 25 July 2002 2,047 (19.09.02) Hamburg 21 August 2002 101 (18.09.02) Schleswig-Holstein 26 August 2002 1,597 (19.09.02) Denmark 30 August 2002 449 (18.09.02) Wadden Sea Total    5,763          Helgoland 11 August 2002 211(19.09.02)       Kattegat/Skagerrak     Danish Kattegat / Oresund 07 May 2002 1,990 (18.09.02) Swedish Kattegat / Skagerrak 30 May 2002 about 4,000 (06.09.02) Norwegian Skagerrak 22 June 2002 about 1,100 (16.09.02) Kattegat/Skagerrak Total   about 7,100       DK- Limfjord    5 (18.09.02)       Belgium/France 31 July 2002 3 (06.09.02)       United Kingdom (Common seals + Grey seals) 13 August 2002 1,587 (18.09.02)       All Areas                 TOTAL   about 14,700 Compiled by: Folkert de Jong Common Wadden Sea Secretariat Wilhelmshaven dejong@waddensea-secretariat.org phone: +49 4421 9108 13 Status Report No. 33 (13.09.2002): NEWS – Kattegat-Skagerrag area According to Danish and Swedish information the epizootic passed the Kattegat and no new/fresh carcasses have been registered in that area. In the northern Skagerrak, dead seals are still being found, however, the mortality is decreasing, also in the affected Norwegian area. NEWS – Baltic Sea A few freshly dead common seals have been registered at the coast of South-Lolland in Denmark, near the seal colony Rødsand, however, the pdv disease is not confirmed regarding these seals. At the end of August/beginning of September, two dead seals had been found east of the peninsula Zingst at the German Baltic coast in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (see Seal Report no.32). The results of the investigations of the samples have not come in yet. NEWS – United Kingdom Between 4 September and 10 September, 209 dead seals were reported around the UK bringing the total to 1,005 since the beginning of the outbreak. 890 of these are from around the coast of England, predominantly from the Norfolk coast with smaller numbers reported from Suffolk, Lincolnshire, Northumbria and the East Riding of Yorkshire. 60 post-mortem examinations have been carried out in England and to date 17 of these have been confirmed as positive for PDV but further test results are being awaited. All 17 positive cases are from the Wash area. In Scotland, there have now been 70 reports of dead seals, seven have been sent for post-mortem examination but none have shown any signs of PDV.  In Wales, there have been six new reports of dead seals bringing the total to 30 and in Northern Ireland, there have been five new reports bringing the total to 15. No post-mortem examinations have been carried out in Wales and Northern Ireland. 11.09.2002 Sea Mammal Research Unit, St. Andrews, UK Table: Seal Epidemic 2002 Overview of registered dead seals in the Wadden Sea, the North Sea and the Kattegat-Skagerrak area    First date of occurrence of unusual mortality Number of dead common seals (until date) Wadden Sea          Netherlands 16 June 2002 1,304 (12.09.02) Lower Saxony 25 July 2002 1,371 (13.09.02) Hamburg 21 August 2002 80 (12.09.02) Schleswig-Holstein 26 August 2002 882 (13.09.02) Denmark 30 August 2002 306 (13.09.02) Wadden Sea Total    3,943 Helgoland 11 August 2002 189 (13.09.02) Kattegat/Skagerrak       Danish Kattegat / Oresund 07 May 2002 1,919 (13.09.02) Swedish Kattegat / Skagerrak 30 May 2002 about 4,000 (06.09.02) Norwegian Skagerrak 22 June 2002 about 1,000 (09.09.02) Kattegat/Skagerrak Total     about 6.900 DK- Limfjord - none (13.09.02) Belgium/France 31 July 2002 3 (06.09.02) United Kingdom mainly Wash 13 August 2002 1,005 (11.09.02) All Areas TOTAL     about 12,000   Remark: The next Status Report will be done either at the end of week 38 or beginning of week 39. Compiled by Bettina Reineking Common Wadden Sea Secretariat Virchowstr. 1 D 26382 Wilhelmshaven reineking@waddensea-secretariat.org Further Links The Netherlands: Dutch Ministy for Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries Germany Nationalparkamt Schleswig-Holstein / Nationalparkverwaltung Niedersachen  Denmark Danish Forest and Nature Agency Others Seal Mammal Research Unit (Scotland, UK) Tjärnö Marine Biological Laboratory (Sweden)     Status Report No. 32 (10.09.2002): NEWS - the Danish Wadden Sea The Danish State Veterinarian Institute in Aarhus confirmed that five out of six investigated dead common seals from the Danish part of the Wadden Sea were tested pdv positive. All areas in the Danish Wadden Sea are affected by the disease and in total 217 dead seals have been registered until now. A few carcasses were also found outside the Wadden Sea, northwards of Hvide Sande. The Limfjord is still unaffected. NEWS - the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea Because of the high numbers of found dead seals over the last days, the Schleswig-Holstein Ministry for Environment, Nature and Forest in cooperation with the Kreis Nordfriesland announced the second phase of the contingency plan “Seal Disease” for the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea. The Schleswig-Holstein State Veterinary and Food Research Institute (LVUA) issued the information that the pdv-quick test (Polymerase-Chain-Reaction-method) of three dead seals showed a positive result for an animal found on the peninsula Eiderstedt (Wadden Sea), and negative results for another animal from the Wadden Sea, found in Dagebüll, as well as an animal found near Flensburg (German Baltic Sea coast). NEWS - the Dutch Wadden Sea Three samples of seven dead seals were tested pdv positive at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam. Further virological investigations are needed on the other four samples. At the beginning of the epidemic, it was estimated that about 50% of the Dutch seal stock would be affected by the disease according to the worst-case scenario. Today, the Department North of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries expects this scenario to occur. However, the entire Dutch seal stock will not be under threat because of the epidemic. NEWS - Norwegian Skagerrak According to the Norwegian Pollution Control Authorities the following figures of dead common seals from 12 different Norwegian municipalities were reported on 09.09.02: Hvaler         230* Fredrikstad           86* Tønsberg/Nøtterøy/Tjøme/Stokke   255* Bamble       22 Kragerø   90 Tvedestrand    75 Kristiansand/Lillesand/Søgne   40 (2nd September) Total   798 *municipalities in the area of the outer Oslofjord Several municipalities are not included in the above list and the total number of registered dead seals is estimated to approximately 1,000. All of the contacted municipalities reported a decreasing number of dead seals.  Only the municipalities east of Oslofjorden still reported significant numbers of dead seals (Hvaler and Fredrikstad 65 animals last week). NEWS - coast of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, German Baltic coast Two dead common seals were found east of the peninsula Zingst at the German Baltic coast in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania at the end of August/beginning of September 2002. For clarification regarding phocine distemper, samples were sent to the Schleswig-Holstein State Veterinary and Food Research Institute (LVUA) for virological investigations. There are no permanent breeding and haul-out sites of common seals at the Baltic coast in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The next breeding site is the Danish colony Rødsand near Gedser, which is about 40 km away from the German coast. Table: Seal Epidemic 2002 Overview of registered dead seals in the Wadden Sea, the North Sea and the Kattegat-Skagerrak area    First date of occurrence of unusual mortality Number of dead common seals (until date) Wadden Sea:   Netherlands 16 June 2002 1,224 (09.09.02) Lower Saxony 25 July 2002 1,238 (09.09.02) Hamburg 21 August 2002 72 (09.09.02) Schleswig-Holstein 26 August 2002 662 (09.09.02) Denmark 30 August 2002 217 (09/10..09.02) Wadden Sea Total   3,413   Helgoland 11 August 2002 174 (09.09.02)   Kattegat/Skagerrak:   Danish Kattegat / Oresund 07 May 2002 1,915 (05.09.02) Swedish Kattegat / Skagerrak 30 May 2002 about 4,000 (06.09.02) Norwegian Skagerrak 22 June 2002 about 1,000 (09.09.02) Kattegat/Skagerrak Total   about 6.900   DK- Limfjord - none   Belgium/France 31 July 2002 3 (06.09.02) United Kingdom mainly Wash 13 August 2002 791 (05.09.02)   All Areas TOTAL   about 11,280   Compiled by Bettina Reineking Common Wadden Sea Secretariat Virchowstr. 1 D 26382 Wilhelmshaven reineking@waddensea-secretariat.org Status Report No. 31 (06.09.2002): NEWS - the Danish Wadden Sea On 04 September 2002, the Danish Forest and Nature Agency informed the public that in the last week, since about 30.08.02, 100 dead common seals had been registered in the Danish part of the Wadden Sea. Because of the unusually mortality and of high suspicion regarding pdv, samples were taken and sent to the Danish State Veterinarian Institute in Aarhus for virological investigations. The results of the investigations are expected within the next days. 04.09.02 Danish Forest and Nature Agency, Denmark NEWS – the Dutch Wadden Sea Until 05 September 2002, there had been about 1.126 dead registered seals in the Netherlands. Additionally, in total 47 ill animals have been transported to seal rehabilitation centers. The number of 1173 dead and sick animals contains two dead grey seals, and 28 animals, which washed ashore outside the Dutch Wadden Sea area, i.e. on the North Sea coast of the provinces of Noord-Holland, Zuid-Holland and Zeeland. The data can change due to later documentation for the last few days. 06.09.02 Dep. North of the Ministry for Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries, Netherlands NEWS- Swedish Skagerrak/Kattegat In the northern part of the Swedish west coast, the mortality is still ongoing, whereas it ended in the southern parts. The last number of registered dead common seals in Sweden was more than 1500 in the beginning of August. Now, it can be concluded that more than 4000 seals will be registered and sampled in the Swedish area. More detailed information regarding the situation of seals on the Swedisch west coast is expected over the next week. 06.09.02 Tjärno Marine Biological Laboratory, Sweden NEWS- United Kingdom Between the 28th August and 3rd September, 309 dead seals were reported around the UK bringing the total number to 791, since the start of the outbreak. The majority of these (699 seals) have been reported from around the English coast, in particular from the Wash area with smaller numbers being found along Suffolk and the Northumbrian coasts. Out of the 699 dead seals around England, post-mortem examinations have been carried out on 48 seals. To date, 15 of these have been positive pdv cases. Further test results are awaited. All positive cases of pdv have been from the Wash area. In Scotland, the number of reported dead seals has reached a total of 58. Five post-mortem examinations have been conducted in Scotland and all tests so far have been negative for pdv. There have been 24 reported dead seals in Wales and 10 in Northern Ireland. None of these have been sent for post-mortem examination. 05.09.02 Sea Mammal Research Unit, St. Andrews, UK   Table: Seal Epidemic 2002 Overview of registered dead seals in the Wadden Sea, the North Sea and the Kattegat-Skagerrak area (6.9.2002). First date of occurrence of unusual mortality Number of dead common seals  (until date) Wadden Sea Netherlands 16 June 2002 1.126 (04.09.02) Lower Saxony 25 July 2002 1.102 (06.09.02) Hamburg 21 August 2002 46 (03.09.02) Schleswig-Holstein 26 August 2002 271 (06.09.02) Denmark 30 August 2002 100 (04.09.02) Wadden Sea Total   2.645   Helgoland 11 August 2002 152 (06.09.02)   Kattegat/Skagerrak Danish Kattegat / Oresund 07 May 2002 1.915 (05.09.02) Swedish Kattegat / Skagerrak 30 May 2002 about 4.000 (06.09.02) Norwegian Skagerrak 22 June 2002 about 900 (02.09.02) Kattegat/Skagerrak Total   about 6.800   DK- Limfjord - none   Belgium/France 31 July 2002 3 (06.09.02)   United Kingdom mainly Wash 13 August 2002 791 (05.09.02)   All Areas TOTAL   about 10.400 Compiled by Bettina Reineking Common Wadden Sea Secretariat Virchowstr. 1 D 26382 Wilhelmshaven reineking@waddensea-secretariat.org Status Report No. 30 (03.09.2002):   Wadden Sea and North Sea   Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea The Schleswig-Holstein State Veterinary and Food Research Institute (LVUA) issued the information that a pdv-quick test of two Wadden Sea seals showed a positive result. The samples originated from freshly dead carcasses found on the peninsula Eiderstedt and the results have to be confirmed by further investigations at the Veterinary School in Hannover (Tierärztliche Hochschule). On 02.09., two further sections were undertaken and samples taken for virological investigations. The seal hunters reported from Sunday (01.09.) to Monday (02.09) 85 seal carcasses. On the coast of the peninsula Eiderstedt, 27 dead seals were recovered, on Sylt 23, and on Amrum 12. Seven dead animals stranded on Föhr, on Pellworn as well as on the Halligen Hooge and Oland each four dead animals were found, and on Nordstrand and Büsum each two. The number of animals recovered in Schleswig-Holstein in total has risen to 135 since August 26th, 2002. August 26th is the starting point of the registration and marks the first day of registered higher-than-normal death rates with suspicion on pdv-virus. Many carcasses are still drifting in the North Sea. Fisherman and shipowners reported drifting carcasses off the coast of Dithmarschen and in the shipping routes. In particular north of Helgoland clusters of four to five dead animals were drifting in the water whereas near Sylt only single carcasses were seen. Island of Helgoland The number of recovered carcasses on Helgoland has risen to 131 since August 11th, 2002. This date marks the first day of registered higher-than-normal death rates with suspicion on pdv-virus and is the starting point of the registration. Lower Saxon Wadden Sea On 02 September, there were about 1002 dead common and nine dead grey seals registered in Lower Saxony in total. No updated information from other areas. Compiled by Bettina Reineking Common Wadden Sea Secretariat Virchowstr. 1 D 26382 Wilhelmshaven reineking@waddensea-secretariat.org Status Report No. 29 (02.09.2002): Wadden Sea and North Sea   Dutch North Sea and Wadden Sea Until 30 August, there had been about 908 dead registered seals in the Netherlands. Additionally, 39 ill animals have been transported to seal rehabilitation centers. The number of 947 dead and sick animals contains two dead grey seals, and at least seventeen animals, which washed ashore outside the Dutch Wadden Sea area, i.e. on the North Sea coast of the provinces of Noord-Holland, Zuid-Holland and Zeeland. Last week, four of nine investigated dead seals had positive pdv result.   Figure:            Number of dead seals found in the Netherlands since week 25 Lower Saxon Wadden Sea On 30 August, there were about 803 dead common and five dead grey seals registered in Lower Saxony in total. Hamburg part of the Wadden Sea No updated information since the Seal Report No. 28. Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea Until 28.08., only single seals have been found dead washed ashore in Schleswig-Holstein. Since 28.08., unusual numbers of dead seals have been documented at the coast of Nordfriesland and Eiderstedt. Since mid August, about 160 dead common seals – mainly very decomposed – have been registered. The carcasses are continuously being checked for pdv, however, so far, no positive pdv result has been registered. The results of investigations of the last three animals are expected soon. There have been reports on drifting seal carcasses off the coast. Danish North Sea coast and Wadden Sea Until now, no unusual numbers of dead seals have been reported from the Danish Wadden Sea and North Sea coast and from the Limfjord area. The result of virological investigations of samples of pdv-suspicious dead seals from the Danish Wadden Sea are expected within the next days. Island of Helgoland On 02 September, the total number of dead common seals registered on Helgoland was 121. At the moment, only 30 of the normal stock of 400 animals is resting at the Helgoländer Düne. Belgian/French North Sea According to information by Jan Haelters, Marine Environmental Management Section of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, additional to the first positive tested dead seal from the French coast (31.07/01.08) two seals were tested positive for a morbilly-virus, which stranded on the Belgium coast on 22.08 and 24.08. The animal of 24.08. showed classical, reported post-mortem evidence of death after a morbillivirus-infection according to the documentation of the post-mortem diagnosis by Dr. T. Jauniaux and N. El Mjiyad from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Liege, although they are certain that this seal had been vaccinated against PDV. The animal had stranded during the summer of 2000 as a pup, and was rehabilitated at Sea Life Blankenberge (Belgium).  Prior to release on 29 November 2000 in the Westerscheldt (NL), it had been vaccinated against PDV. Southeast coast of England According to the 3rd Report of the Sea Mammal Research Unit, until 29 August 2002 there had been 408 reported dead seals around the UK. 334 of the reported dead seals are from England, in particular the Wash area. 39 of these have been sent for post-mortem, 13 cases have been confirmed as positive for pdv. All positive cases of pdv have been from the Wash. 21 dead seals have been reported from Wales and six from Northern Ireland.  47 dead seals have been reported from Scotland, five of these have been sent for post-mortem (four common seals and one grey seal) but there is no evidence of pdv in any of these cases.  See also: http://www.smru.st-and.ac.uk Skagerrak/Kattegat Sweden Obviously, the epizootic ended in the southern part of the Swedish west coast (Hallands Väderö), and it is expected that it will also end more northwards at Varberg this or next week. However, the mortality is still continuing in the north at the Swedish west coast. Furthermore, more seals will be washed ashore when the wind direction changes because a lot of dead seals are still drifting in the water. Updated numbers regarding found dead seals cannot be given for the Swedish Skagerrak-Kattegat area since it was stated on 08.08.02 that more than 1500 dead seals had been registered in the entire Swedish area. The Swedish institutes are still primarily busy with sampling the seals. Denmark According to information of the National Forest and Nature Agency, the number of found dead seals in the Kattegat area is furthermore decreasing. The status of registered dead seals in the Danish Skagerrak-Kattegat area is as follows:   Figure: Danish State Forest Districts   Danish State Forest District Dead seals since 03.05.02 until 28.08.2002 North Kattegat area (incl. Fussingø)   Nordjylland (incl. Læsø) 333 Buderupholm (east coast of Jutland north of the Mariager Fjord) 27 Fussingø (Djursland incl. Anholt) 290   South Kattegat area   Silkeborg (east coast of Jutland south of Aarhus, incl. Samsø, Bosserne) 358 Randbøl (incl. Møllegrunden and Endelave) 118 Fyn 122 Kronborg (north east coast of Sealand) 19 Tisvilde (north coast of Sealand incl. Hesselø) 393 Odsherred (north west coast of Sealand) 206   Øresund area   Jægersborg 13 København 19 TOTAL 1898 Norway According to the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority all contacted municipalities reported decreasing numbers of found dead seals. According to the reports from West Lindesnes, it is indicated that the mortality stops already at the Norwegians sourthern point. Until 02.09.2002  702 dead common seals had been registered at the Norwegian coasts, mainly in the outer Oslofjord (more than 500). It can be estimated that all in all about 900 seals have been registered because several municipalities are still not yet included in the above given number.   Compiled by Bettina Reineking Common Wadden Sea Secretariat Virchowstr. 1 D 26382 Wilhelmshaven reineking@waddensea-secretariat.org   Top of Page