Researchers are honing in on a disease that is spreading among starfish on the West Coast. Scientists have warned that the disease could lead to localized species extinction. The researchers are seeking clues on a link between warmer waters and an increasing number of starfish deaths.

Drew Harvell, marine epidemiologist at Cornell University, has been hard at work seeking answers as to what is killing off the starfish in large numbers. Harvell said in a statement, “It’s a lot worse than it was last week.”

The disease, called sea star wasting syndrome, is so named because of the rapid deterioration of the diseased starfish. Harvell has been leading a nationwide search to better understand the disease that is killing starfish by the millions along the Pacific shores and east coast of North America.

Scientists believe that the starfish may be falling victim to an infectious virus or bacteria. Researchers note that the disease could be worsened by warming waters, which puts additional stress on the sea creatures and could make them more vulnerable to the deadly pathogen.

Harvell explained, “It’s the largest mortality event for marine diseases we’ve seen. It affects over 20 species on our coast and it’s been causing catastrophic mortality.”

Following summer’s arrival, the waters surrounding the San Juan archipelago have warmed, leaving starfish vulnerable to the disease. Harvell and researchers indicate that there is not much time for the sea stars.

According to National Geographic, there are approximately 2,000 species of sea star in oceans around the world, including tropical habitats and cold seafloors. The five-arm varieties are most common, although there are sea stars with 10, 20, and even 40 arms.