Kachemak Bay Sea Otters and Endocarditis

http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic2186.htm Sub Acute Bacterial Endocarditis in humans infected with Streptococcus bovis.

Alaska sea waters experiencing unusual mortality event with the fairly rapid death or serious illness of Sea Otters in their prime, many males, and without signs of wasting. Autopsy reveals vegetative sub acute bacterial endocarditis (SABE) with cultures consistently growing Strep bovis. It sounds like there must be a vector. This will be an interesting piece of epidemiology.

Better not Handle a sick of dead otter if found on the beach. Call Fish & Game.