PREVALENCE OF Pharurus pallasii IN THE BELUGA WHALE ( Delphinapterus leucas ) OF CHURCHILL RIVER BASIN, MANITOBA.

Eight of 9 beluga whale ( Delphinapterus leucas ) in the Churchill River Basin were infected with Pharurus pallasii . The age range of infected whales was from under 1 year to 30 years. All adult infected animals had a large number of parasites in the accessory sinus, together with variable degrees of pulmonary granulomatous response. Histopathologic examination of lung revealed little host response to adult P. pallasii , but a strong inflammatory reaction to larval structures. Within the head, P. pallasii were found in the accessory sinus, ear canal and cerebral spinal fluid.