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Avian Influenza Detected at Año Nuevo State Park

A small number of young northern elephant seals at Año Nuevo State Park recently tested positive for H5N1, also known as bird flu. This is the first detection of H5N1 in California’s marine mammal population.

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three California sea lions being released into the ocean

The Toxic Effects of Environmental Domoic Acid Exposure on Humans and Marine Wildlife

  • Domoic acid

Abstract

Biotoxins produced by harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a substantial global threat to ocean and human health. Domoic acid (DA) is one such biotoxin whose negative impacts are forecasted to increase with climate change and coastal development. This manuscript serves as a review of DA toxicosis after environmental exposure in humans and wildlife, including an introduction to HAB toxins, the history of DA toxicosis, DA production, toxicokinetic properties of DA, susceptibility, clinical signs, DA detection methods and other diagnostic tests, time course of toxicosis, treatment, prognostics, and recommendations for future research. Additionally, we highlight the utility of California sea lions (CSLs; Zalophus californianus) as a model and sentinel of environmental DA exposure.


Krasner, A.E., Martinez, M.E., Field, C.L. and Fire, S.E., 2025. The Toxic Effects of Environmental Domoic Acid Exposure on Humans and Marine Wildlife. Marine Drugs, 23(2), p.61. https://doi.org/10.3390/md23020061. Open access. Published January 29, 2025.

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