Polar Bears at Higher Risk of Contracting Some Pathogens

As the environment warms, polar bears are more likely to contract several pathogens than they were three decades ago.

In a study published in PLOS ONE, researchers looked for antibodies for six pathogens in blood samples taken from polar bears in the Chukchi Sea from 1987-1994 and from 2008-2017.

They found that five of the pathogens were more prevalent in the samples taken in the later years.

These included the parasites that cause toxoplasmosis and neosporosis, the bacteria that causes rabbit fever and brucellosis, and the canine distemper virus.

The team also found that exposure varied with diet and was higher in females than males.

They suspect the higher risk in females is due to pregnant bears denning on land to raise cubs, where they’re exposed to more pathogens.

This article was first published by The Wildlife Society on 30 October 2024. Lead Image: Polar bears are more likely to contract some pathogens than they were three decades ago. Credit: Alaska Science Center.

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