Antarctica is commonly imagined because the final untouched wilderness. Unfortunately, avian influenza (“bird flu”) is encroaching on the icy continent. The virus has already reached the sub-Antarctic islands between the Antarctic Peninsula and South America. It’s solely a matter of time earlier than it reaches the Antarctic continent.
So far avian influenza has been detected in a number of seabird species on South Georgia Island and the Falkland (Malvinas) Islands. These birds are identified to journey to Antarctica. Researchers additionally suspect avian influenza precipitated mass deaths of southern elephant seals.
The arrival of avian influenza in Antarctica may have probably catastrophic penalties for the wildlife, decimating massive populations.
Antarctic avian influenza outbreaks may disrupt tourism and analysis actions through the busy summer season season. So what can we do throughout this difficult time?
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The chicken flu pandemic
We are within the midst of a “panzootic” – a large-scale pandemic of avian influenza, which is happening the world over and has affected greater than 200 species of untamed birds.
While this pressure of avian influenza (H5N1) is an old foe, the genetics and epidemiology of the virus have shifted. Once largely present in poultry, it’s now infecting massive numbers of untamed birds. Migrating birds have spread the virus with substantial outbreaks now occurring in Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and South America.
Avian influenza has devastated seabird populations world wide, together with a 70% discount of northern gannets on Bass Rock within the United Kingdom. Many birds are diseased, with indicators together with lack of coordination, watery eyes, head twisting, respiration misery or lethargy.
Beyond birds, this virus could have killed greater than 30,000 South American sea lions and over 2,500 southern elephant seal pups in South America. In South Georgia mass deaths have been noticed in elephant seal pups however the virus was not detected in samples despatched for laboratory checks.
EPA/Serfor Perú
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Bird flu shifting additional south
The first detection of avian influenza close to Antarctica occurred in early October on Bird Island, South Georgia, in brown skuas (seabirds much like massive gulls).
A case on the Falkland (Malvinas) Islands was confirmed a number of weeks later in one other seabird species, the southern fulmar.
Genetic evaluation revealed the virus entered these areas on two separate occasions.
Skuas and kelp gulls have been highlighted as species most likely to spread the virus to the Antarctic continent in a recent threat evaluation, as they journey into the area from South America. They are additionally extremely inclined to avian influenza, with associated species within the Northern Hemisphere suffering losses of more than 60%.
What does this imply for Antarctica?
The Antarctic Peninsula, with its ice-free areas, is a vital breeding floor for a lot of key Antarctic species.
Critically, these species – and others, together with the enduring Emperor penguin – dwell in dense colonies and aren’t discovered elsewhere on the planet, making them notably vulnerable to illness outbreaks.
Outbreaks on the Antarctic Peninsula may even be extraordinarily disruptive to the tourism business. More than 104,000 people visited as vacationers within the 2022–23 season. People go to to see wildlife, make a continental touchdown, and benefit from the surroundings.
Once avian influenza is confirmed at a specific location, websites shall be closed to tourists. This will result in a special expertise for guests, with land-based wildlife encounters pivoting to cruise-based actions.
Megan Dewar, Author supplied (no reuse)
What are we doing?
The Antarctic Wildlife Health Network of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research has developed suggestions for the analysis and tourism communities.
These suggestions embody data round biosecurity, testing and reporting of circumstances. The community’s database collates data on suspected and confirmed circumstances of the H5N1 avian influenza pressure within the Antarctic area. This is central to speedy information sharing.
During the 2022–23 season, a small number of researchers examined suspected circumstances and performed surveys, which excluded the presence of avian influenza.
This yr, by the generosity of business companions, we are going to dramatically develop this effort. The community will conduct surveys throughout the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic to observe the presence and impression of the virus on wildlife.
Safety and biosecurity measures have been boosted throughout the scientific community and tourism industry to scale back the danger of individuals spreading the virus. This ought to guarantee important scientific analysis and tourism actions can proceed safely.
New measures now in place embody:
- disinfection of shoes and outer clothes
- carrying of N95 masks, protecting glasses and gloves when working with wildlife
- restrictions on access to contaminated websites.
Tourism can play an vital position in detecting and monitoring the unfold of the virus, alerting authorities to new circumstances in areas not visited by scientists.
The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators is on excessive alert. Extra coaching for field staff will assist them determine wildlife sickness shortly.
Antarctica is related
Many threats to Antarctica – together with local weather change, air pollution, and pathogens – originate elsewhere. Climate change is anticipated to increase the spread of infectious diseases in wildlife and Antarctica will not be immune.
Disease surveillance and data sharing between all these lively within the far south are very important to assist minimise the impacts of avian influenza and future illness threats.
The avian influenza instance highlights the connectivity of our world, and why we have to look after the planet at home with a purpose to defend the far south.
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