NEW CALICIVIRUS ISOLATES FROM FECES OF WALRUS (ODOBENUS ROSMARUS)

Abstract
Three calcivirus isolations were made from walrus feces collected in 1977 off sea ice in the south central Chuckchi Sea; all were of a single serotype. Individual sera from 40 walruses sampled in 1976 .apprx. 100 km east of the Pribilof Islands, Alaska [USA], were examined for serum neutralizing antibodies to the walrus calicivirus. Three animals tested positive; these were 11-18 yr old. In 1981, sera from 18 walruses sampled near the USSR coast were tested; 2 animals, ages 8 and 12 yr, were positive. This is the first report of a walrus virus isolate and is the first time a calicivirus has been isolated from a host whose natural habitat is confined to northern waters.

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