Seals and Phocine Distemper Virus (PDV)
PDV in seals was identified in 1988 when an outbreak (first detected near the island of Anholt in Denmark) proceeded to result in the death of over 18,000 common seals in Europe. It took about 4 months for the disease to travel from Denmark to the UK. In the UK, the disease was first reported from the Wash and then spread to the east coast of Scotland - in total about 1,500 seals were washed onto UK beaches. The population of common seals in the Wash declined by about half.
During June and July 2002 a virus virtually identical to the 1988 strain of PDV was again detected in the Kattegat and Dutch Waddensea areas. The current outbreak shows similarities to the last one: same original location, similar time of year (start of the breeding season) and a similar level of population density.
Since the 14th of August 2002 1794 seals have now been reported in the UK since the beginning of the PDV outbreak. These have mainly been located in the Norfolk/Wash area although cases of the disease have now been found in Yorkshire and Kent. The Institute of Zoology (Zoological Society of London) are currently carrying out Defra funded research into the virus, regular updates of this research can be found the Sea Mammal Research Unit Website: Sea Mammal Research Unit
These pages contain further information about the disease including what
to do if you discover a sick or dead seal. Information may also be found
on the co-ordination between Defra and other organisations in response
to the current outbreak.
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Seals and Phocine Distemper Virus - information includes what to do if you spot an affected seal
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Do you own land along the coast? Letter providing guidance to private landowners along the coast
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Frequently asked questions about Phocine Distemper Virus (PDV)
- Consultation on Conservation of Seals Act 1970: The Conservation of Seals (England) Order 1999 (closing date 31 October 2002)
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Phocine Distemper Virus in seals: suggested disposal options for seal carcasses
(200 KB - updated 18/09/02)
This guidance note lays out the options available to local authorities and private landowners of coastline where sick or dead seals have been discovered. It aims to give advice on the most appropriate methods of removal / disposal of such carcases and gives details of rendering and incineration facilities. It does not purport to give definitive advice to landowners on which disposal option they should adopt as local circumstances will need to be considered before final decisions are made. -
The options for a vaccination programme of Seals against Phocine Distemper Virus (PDV) in response to predicted PDV outbreak in UK in 2002 - This paper is a discussion note which explores the options to vaccinate seals against Phocine Distemper Virus (PDV) in the United Kingdom. It is a collaborative document and includes expert contributions from Animal Health, Defra, International Zoo Veterinary Group and RSPCA however it is not intended to be a scientific paper.
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Options for vaccination of seals in seal sanctuaries for protection against PDV - This paper is a discussion note which explores the options of vaccinating seals in sanctuaries against Phocine Distemper Virus (PDV) in the United Kingdom. It as a collaborative document and includes expert contributions from Animal Health, Defra, Sea Mammal Research Unit, Institute of Zoology, International Zoo Veterinary Group and RSPCA however it is not intended to be a scientific paper.
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Public health guidance note issued by the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health
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News release 331/02 of 13 August 2002
Other web links
Further more detailed information can be found at:
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Sea Mammal Research Unit - news page on the current outbreak and maps showing the distribution of seal populations in the UK.
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Common Wadden Sea Secretariat - for the wider European picture
If you require further general information please contact the Wildlife Management Branch (Defra) on 0117 372 8746
Page last modified: 16 September 2003