Two of the 11 loggerheads brought to Moretti have died so far, he said. Researchers are treating about 25 sick turtles, found from Sarasota to Juno Beach to the Keys. Most lie motionless beneath heat lamps making gasping noises symptomatic of the pneumonia-induced mucus blocking their airways. Moretti, who opened the clinic 14 years ago, said he's never seen anything like it. The ill reptiles were all healthy, full-sized adult females before contracting the virus.
Scientists believe the onset was sudden.
Research performed by scientists at the University of Florida indicates the turtles may have a strain of the herpes virus attacking their respiratory tracts and lungs. Post-mortem test results are expected next week. The deadly disease actually helps keep the turtles alive for a time, Moretti said. It makes the turtles too weak to swim but the pneumonia causes a foam to develop in their lungs that keeps them buoyant. Copyright 2000 Reuters Limited.