Since arriving in South America, chook flu has travelled greater than 6000km in three months and killed 500,000 seabirds and greater than 20,000 sea lions in Peru and Chile alone.
The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, in documenting that, has traced the unfold of the virus extremely pathogenic avian influenza alongside the Pacific coast of South America to its southernmost tip off Tierra del Fuego.
A paper revealed by SCAR Antarctic Wildlife Health Network warns the Antarctic Peninsula, the Scotia Arc (which incorporates South Georgia, the South Orkneys and Elephant Island), and the Falkland Islands are at excessive danger of the virus arriving this summer time season.
SCAR, the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs, the Committee for Environment Protection, and the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators are all involved about this heightened danger of HPAI outbreaks in Antarctica within the 2023-24 season and the influence it may have on the area’s wildlife — although up to now there have been no recognized circumstances.
Dr Meagan Dewar, chair of AWHN, says: “The arrival of HPAI in the region would have a devasting impact on many wildlife species in the region and could lead to catastrophic breeding failure and mortality events.”
Penguin colonies are clearly of concern.
But recent danger evaluation additionally warns skuas, gulls, fur seals and sea lions are at biggest danger of HPAI an infection — adopted by penguins, sheathbills, large petrels and birds of prey on the sub-Antarctic islands.
Expedition cruise corporations crusing to Antarctica have introduced in stricter precautions in a bid to cease passengers bringing in avian flu — however there are considerations migrating birds from South America may carry within the illness.
Skuas, gulls, large petrels and sheathbills are thought of the almost certainly to fly the virus in.
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The Antarctic cruise season runs from November-March. More than 60 ships are anticipated to cross the Drake Passage, backwards and forwards, visiting the Antarctic Peninsula throughout this subsequent season.
The variety of cruises to Antarctica has been fuelled by demand from keen travellers. And it has led to a fleet of recent expedition ships which might be extra snug in excessive situations.
A spokesperson for IAATO says: “Polar stakeholders, from Antarctic Treaty parties to scientists, researchers and IAATO tour operators, already have robust procedures in place to protect Antarctica from pathogens and non-native species, but due to the increase of avian influenza elsewhere in the world, we are all heightening our vigilance with regards to operations south.”
In session with the SCAR Antarctic Wildlife Health Working Group, extra protocols have been launched, that are obligatory for all IAATO operators.
A spokesperson for COMNAP says: “Currently, we have no identified cases of HPAI in the Antarctic region. However, birds and mammals are presenting with HPAI in South America, South Africa and in the Arctic, so the risk is heightened that HPAI will make its way to Antarctica by way of natural migration of species during the 2023-24, or the 2024-25 Antarctic seasons.
“We can’t stop the natural migration of birds and so we cannot stop the virus from spreading to Antarctica. But, we can look for signs of HPAI in Antarctic species and report those signs, take extra precautions to prevent the intra-continental spread of the virus by human activity, and protect our human expeditioners from contracting the disease from infected birds and mammals.”
