Scientists have for the first time detected a potentially deadly virus in the breath of Arctic whales using drone technology, revolutionizing non-invasive health monitoring for marine mammals and offering new tools for conservation.
The research, conducted between 2016 and 2025 across the Northeast Atlantic including northern Norway, Iceland, and Cape Verde, involved sampling humpback, sperm, and fin whales. Drones equipped with sterile Petri dishes were flown through the exhaled droplets, or ‘blows,’ from whale blowholes to collect breath samples, combined with skin biopsies in some cases. This method confirmed the presence of cetacean morbillivirus above the Arctic Circle, a virus first identified in dolphins and known to cause severe disease and mass deaths in cetaceans.
Cetacean morbillivirus is highly pathogenic, affecting the respiratory and neurological systems, and has been linked to numerous stranding events globally since its discovery in 1987. The virus is contagious and can jump between species, posing a significant threat to whale populations in rapidly changing Arctic ecosystems where climate change and human activities add stress.
Professor Terry Dawson of King’s College London described drone blow sampling as a ‘game-changer’ because it allows pathogen monitoring without stressing the animals, providing crucial data on diseases. The study, published in the journal BMC Veterinary Research, involved collaborations with Nord University, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, and other institutions, highlighting its interdisciplinary nature.
In addition to morbillivirus, the researchers detected herpesviruses in humpback whales across multiple locations, but found no traces of avian influenza virus or Brucella bacteria. These findings pinpoint specific viral threats and underscore the importance of targeted surveillance to manage health risks in marine mammals.
The research raises concerns about potential outbreak risks during winter when whales aggregate in high densities for feeding, increasing interactions with other species and humans. Early detection through such non-invasive methods could help prevent large-scale mortality events and inform conservation strategies.
Helena Costa, lead author at Nord University, emphasized the priority of continuing long-term surveillance to understand how emerging stressors, including climate change and pollution, will shape whale health in the future. This approach enables regular health checks and reduces the need for invasive procedures.
As Arctic regions warm, understanding and mitigating health threats to marine mammals becomes increasingly urgent. The success of drone-based sampling sets a new standard for wildlife monitoring and paves the way for broader applications in marine biology, contributing to global efforts to protect biodiversity and ecosystem health.
