Almost 350 dolphins have washed up dead along the United States' East Coast over the last few months. Scientists from the the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) believe the deaths are most likely due to cetacean morbillivirus, a marine strain of a virus similar to measles. From the end of June until the end of August at least 333 bottlenose dolphins were found dead, the highest number in 25 years and almost 10 times the average of 33 for the same period and region over the last five years. Morbillivirus attacks dolphins' immune systems, leaving infected animals vulnerable to other diseases, including pneumonia. Many of the stranded dolphins have lesionson their skin, mouths, joints or lungs, the NOAA reported. "East Coast animals simply don't have the immune response to effectively fight off this virus," said Dr. Stephanie Venn-Watson, director of translational medicine and research at the National Marine Mammal Foundation. Teri Rowles, with NOAA, said the outbreak could last until May 2014 as dolphin populations build up resistance to the virus. (Source : DAN)