MIAMI (AP)
- Dozens of endangered sea turtles have been found near-death,
stricken with a mysterious virus that leaves them unable to eat
or blink and may be linked to herpes, researchers say.
In the past
six weeks, 11 loggerheads have been brought into the Turtle Hospital
in Marathon. Four other turtles with similar symptoms have been
rescued outside the Florida Keys, and dozens of infected, floating
turtles have been spotted by boaters but left for dead, said Richie
Moretti, director of the Marathon hospital.
Two of the
11 loggerheads brought to Moretti have died so far, he said. Researchers
are treating about 25 sick turtles, found from Sarasota to Juno
Beach to the Keys.
At the hospital,
the turtles are force-fed a "squid milkshake," a mixture
of Gatorade and liquefied squid. Most lie motionless beneath heat
lamps making gasping noises symptomatic of the pneumonia-induced
mucus blocking their airways.
Moretti, who
opened the clinic 14 years ago, said he's never seen anything
like it. The ill reptiles were all healthy, full-sized adult females
before contracting the virus. Scientists believe the onset was
sudden.
Research performed
by scientists at the University of Florida indicates the turtles
may have a strain of the herpes virus attacking their respiratory
tracts and lungs. Post-mortem test results are expected next week.
The deadly
disease actually helps keep the turtles alive for a time, Moretti
said. It makes the turtles too weak to swim but the pneumonia
causes a foam to develop in their lungs that keeps them buoyant.
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