Samenvatting

Since 2012, the harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) population in the Dutch Wadden Sea has been in decline, raising concerns about the potential role of infectious diseases. Historical outbreaks like those caused by Phocine Distemper Virus (PDV) and Influenza A virus subtype H10N7, have shown that pathogens can significantly impact population health and survival. This review aims to identify pathogens that may be contributing to the recent decline, addressing the central research question: Which pathogens could contribute to the recent decline of the harbor sealpopulation in the Dutch Wadden Sea?