Report of Acute Hepatitis in Two California Sea Lions Caused by Novel Adenovirus

Abstract

Lethal viral hepatitis associated with adenoviral infection has been reported in some otariid species. There was also an outbreak reported from an aquarium in Japan. Severe acute hepatitis was present in two California sea lions and a novel adenovirus was detected. It has been suggested that early treatment may be successful in saving the animal. Attention must be paid to sanitary management, because persistent viral infection was observed after the symptoms had disappeared.