Scientists have discovered a dangerous virus in the breath of whales by using drones, marking a breakthrough in how marine wildlife health can be monitored without disturbing the animals. Researchers collected samples by flying drones directly through the mist of air and droplets expelled when whales surfaced to breathe.
Laboratory analysis revealed the presence of cetacean morbillivirus, a well-known pathogen linked to severe disease and large-scale die-offs in whales and dolphins worldwide. According to researchers from King’s College London and collaborating institutions, this is the first time the virus has been detected directly from whale breath collected in the wild.
Cetacean morbillivirus attacks the respiratory, nervous, and immune systems, and has been responsible for major mortality events in marine mammals over past decades. Despite the discovery, the whales sampled during the study showed no obvious signs of illness, suggesting the virus can be present before visible symptoms appear.
By using drones, scientists were able to gather biological samples without close contact, tagging, or invasive procedures—methods that have long made disease monitoring in large marine animals difficult, stressful, and risky. The approach allows whales to remain undisturbed while behaving naturally in their environment.
Researchers say this technique could become a powerful tool for tracking how viruses spread among whale populations, identifying health threats earlier, and improving conservation efforts as ocean ecosystems face increasing pressure from climate change and human activity.