Current Status and Measures Concerning Cetacean Erysipelas at Enoshima Aquarium

Abstract

　At Enoshima Aquarium from 1957 to 2003, there have been several types of erysipelas infections in cetaceans were recorded. In 1960, these incidents caused mortality on three species of 21 individuals. Additionally, 9 out of 10 staff members who performed autopsy were infected by erysipelas. In 1980, one bottlenose dolphin died from endocarditis. In 1999, 20-year-old bottlenose dolphin also died from septicemia, and serotype 2 was isolated from its blood sample. Six-year-old bottlenose dolphin recovered from infection by administering oral dose of penicillins and tetracyclines combination. At new Enoshima Aquarium from 2004 to 2018, only one pacific white-sided dolphin died from septicemia. Also, serotype 2 and untypeable were isolated from blood samples of two bottlenose dolphins in poor health condition at time. The untypeable was isolated from blood sample of the same dolphin again 4 months later from initial record of this type. It has been more than 60 years since Enoshima Aquarium started its cetaceans display, however, even now erysipelas infections have occasionally been observed.