INFLUENZA AND MARINE MAMMALS 

In light of the notable history of influenza in marine mammals, particularly, but not exclusively in the Gulf of Maine, we are currently undertaking a multiyear long-term field and laboratory program for the continuing study of influenza in New England. Our team has a particular interest in understanding if marine mammals are commonly exposed to, and regularly harbor, influenza virus. We are particularly interested in understanding the factors that allow for naturally circulating avian influenza virus to cross into mammalian species, such as seals, and to ultimately identify predictors as to which strains of virus have a high probability of making such a species switch. Through this work we would like to better understand if influenza infection in marine mammals plays any role in the generation of mammalian transmissible viruses that could impact human public health.