科学家调查疱疹病毒是否导致南非沙丁鱼大规模死亡

南非西海岸和南海岸本月发生沙丁鱼大规模死亡事件，科研机构正紧急调查疱疹病毒（PHV）的参与程度。1South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity和当地大学对死鱼样本进行了检验，初步结果显示死鱼体内PHV含量持续偏高，而活鱼体内含量则不一致。1科学家认为PHV是这场鱼类死亡的最可能解释，但也在考虑有害藻类、异常低温和低氧条件等其他潜在因素。1

这是PHV首次在南非沙丁鱼中被检测到。1该病毒曾在1990年代导致澳大利亚发生过两次沙丁鱼大规模死亡事件。1值得注意的是，PHV对人类健康没有已知风险。1

这场环境事件已产生实际影响。1大量死亡沙丁鱼堵塞了Koeberg核电站的进水口，迫使该电站将其中一座机组的电力输出降低了50%。1

A mass die-off of sardines has struck South Africa's coastal waters this month, prompting scientists to examine whether a herpes virus is responsible for the mortality event.1 Preliminary testing has revealed consistently elevated levels of herpes virus (PHV) in dead fish, leading researchers to identify the virus as the most probable explanation, though they are also considering other potential factors including harmful algae blooms, abnormally low temperatures, and low oxygen conditions.1

This marks the first time PHV has been detected in sardine populations off South Africa, according to investigators from the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity and local universities who are analyzing samples from the affected area.1 The virus is not known to pose any health risk to humans.1 Dead sardines have clogged the intake system at Koeberg Nuclear Power Station, forcing the facility to cut output from one reactor by 50 percent.1 PHV caused two major sardine die-offs in Australia during the 1990s.1