Confirmation of Chelonid Alphaherpesvirus 5 (Scutavirus Chelonidalpha5) Associated with Fibropapillomatosis in Green and Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtles from Mississippi, USA.

Key Points

• To diagnose and confirm the presence of fibropapillomatosis and chelonid alphaherpesvirus 5 in stranded sea turtles.
• Molecular diagnosis techniques were used to identify the virus and disease in turtles.
• Four sea turtles were examined: one Kemp's ridley and three green sea turtles.
• Stranding location was the Mississippi coast.
• Fibropapillomatosis was confirmed in all four turtles examined.
• Chelonid alphaherpesvirus 5 was identified in both species of turtles.
• The findings indicate the disease's expanded presence in the Gulf of Mexico.