First Detection of Alpha herpesvirus in Humpback Whale Blow Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Based Non-Invasive Sampling

Viral infections significantly affect wildlife health, population dynamics, and ecosystem stability. Cetaceans, as key marine ecosystem species, face challenges in viral infection studies due to difficulties in collecting conventional biological samples. This study employed unmanned aerial vehicles (s) to non-invasively sample exhaled breath condensate (blow) from five groups of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) off Tokyo, Japan, in 2024. Comprehensive virome analysis revealed viral sequences related to 39 known virus species across 24 genera, including nine mammal-infecting viruses. Notably, sequences similar to an alpha herpesvirus previously identified in beluga whales were detected, marking the first report of alpha herpesvirus sequences in humpback whale blow. Our findings demonstrate that UAV-based blow sampling is an effective tool for viral surveillance in cetaceans, advancing understanding of cetacean viral diversity and supporting the development of non-invasive monitoring strategies critical for marine mammal conservation and One Health.