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Dozens of dolphin carcasses counted on west coast of Italy Dolphins thought to have died from virus that causes measles in humans Found on beaches from Tuscany to Sicily since turn of the year

By Sam Adams

PUBLISHED: 08:30 EST, 22 April 2013 | UPDATED: 08:33 EST, 22 April 2013

Scientists believe that more than 100 dolphins washed up dead along the Italian coast were struck down by a killer strain of measles.

A total of 101 dolphin carcasses have been counted on the west coast of Italy since the beginning of the year.

All are the same species - striped dolphins which have a distinctive blue and white pattern and grow to about eight feet long. They usually live for 50 or 60 years.

Concerns: More than 100 striped dolphins have washed up on the west coast of Italy during the last three months

The bodies have appeared on beaches spanning more than half the western coastline of Italy, from Tuscany to Calabria, as well as the island of Sicily - which suggests that the problem is not caused by humans pollutants such as oil.

Instead the deaths are being attributed to a possible outbreak of Morbillivirus, the virus that causes measles in humans, which scientists believe created a gateway for other illnesses among the animals.

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100 dolphins wash up on Italian coast after being hit by killer strain of measles