Santiago, Chile
Reuters
Scientists in Antarctica are warning of the unfold of lethal H5N1 avian flu virus after the illness was first confirmed on the frozen continent’s mainland final month and has since been detected in native penguin and cormorant populations.
The unfold of the virus, which has decimated chicken populations worldwide and hit South American wild chicken and marine mammal populations laborious, has raised alarm in regards to the potential affect on Antarctica’s big penguin colonies.
Researchers sporting protecting fits gather samples of wildlife, the place the H5N1 chicken flu virus was detected, at Chilean Antarctic Territory, Antarctica, on this undated handout photograph obtained by Reuters on thirteenth March, 2024. PICTURE: Instituto Antartico Chileno/Handout by way of Reuters/File photograph
“We are talking about a very worrying risk,” stated researcher Fabiola Leon from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile who was a part of an expedition in late 2023 and early 2024 to watch for chicken flu in Antarctica.
“There are species in danger of extinction, such as emperor penguins and other birds.”
We depend on our readers to fund Sight’s work – grow to be a monetary supporter right this moment!
The Chilean Antarctic Institute (INACH), which organised the expedition, introduced this week it had detected the brand new constructive chicken flu circumstances within the area, which it stated was a “landmark” discover as a result of it included circumstances in penguins.
The constructive circumstances included 9 Adelie penguins and one Antarctic cormorant, Leon added. The virus was first present in skua seachickens on the Antarctic mainland final month.
“This detection of highly pathogenic influenza H5N1 is for the first time reported for Antarctic penguins and cormorants,” Leon stated, warning that the crowded nature of penguin colonies and migratory actions might exacerbate the virus’ unfold.
“This may promote, increase the rate of transmission of the disease among various bird colonies.”