The H5N1 virus continues its world unfold, having
not too long ago been discovered for the primary time ever in mainland
Antarctica.
Avian flu reached the broader Antarctic
area in October final 12 months when it was reported on
sub-Antarctic islands. Since 2021, extremely pathogenic avian
influenza (HPAI) has gone
gangbusters and made its strategy to almost each continent,
however has
not yet been detected in New Zealand, Australia or the
Pacific Islands.
The SMC requested consultants to
remark.
Associate Professor Michelle LaRue, School of
Earth and Environment, University of Canterbury,
feedback:
“Researchers predicted the arrival of
highly-pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) this summer time season
in Antarctica, it was only a matter of when. So, seeing this
information will not be a shock, although no much less devastating to listen to.
Since we all know HPAI can kill each birds and marine mammals,
it’s potential we might even see catastrophic mortality occasions and
devastation of Antarctic wildlife.”
Conflict of
curiosity assertion: “Not actually a battle, however of
curiosity is that I’m additionally the Chief Officer of the Expert
Group on Birds and Marine Mammals inside the Scientific
Committee on Antarctic Research.”
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Dr Mary van
Andel, Chief Veterinary Officer, Ministry for Primary
Industries, feedback:
“The recent instances confirmed
have been from useless skuas discovered close to the Argentine Antarctic base
‘Primavera’, in San Martin Land on the Antarctic
Peninsula. Given how the illness has been shifting southwards
over the previous 12 months, this detection will not be sudden and
doesn’t considerably change the danger of HPAI arriving in
New Zealand. HPAI has been spreading within the sub-Antarctic
South Atlantic since October 2023, with suspected instances
discovered on islands close to the Antarctic Peninsula in recent
weeks.
“We are actively monitoring illness unfold,
significantly in direction of the Ross Sea area. We have many
techniques in place to forestall HPAI coming into New Zealand on
these pathways that may be managed, and to make sure early
detection if it does arrive. International expertise has
proven {that a} One Health method to the present pressure of
HPAI is important. We are working carefully with the
Department of Conservation and the Ministry of Health to
collectively put together for any detection of HPAI in New
Zealand.”
No battle of
curiosity.
Bruce McKinlay, Technical Advisor –
Ecology, Department of Conservation, feedback:
“DOC
and Biosecurity New Zealand are working collectively to
frequently monitor the scenario right here and abroad, and
coordinate readiness, response, and
communications.
“We don’t know precisely what impression
HPAI would have on native species however it’s extra more likely to
have an effect on colony nesting birds reminiscent of purple and black-billed
gulls, gannets, terns and different seabirds or animals
interacting with these birds, throughout instances of shut contact.
Transmission of the virus by secretions and faeces is
more likely to happen presently. Also probably in danger are
non-breeding aggregations of waterbirds that congregate on
wetlands or excessive tide roosts.
“DOC is creating
plans to mitigate dangers to threatened species ought to HPAI
arrive in New Zealand together with actions to boost
detection, cut back unfold and defend threatened
species.
“For a number of species, vaccination is perhaps an
efficient software throughout outbreaks to guard a captive
breeding inhabitants to forestall species extinction. It will not be
potential to vaccinate all our endangered birds, however we will
deal with these species in captivity the place the total two doses
of vaccine may be given.
“We are at present
enterprise a vaccination security and efficacy trial for
avian influenza for 5 critically endangered native
species: kakī/black stilt, takahē, kākāpō,
tūturuatu/shore plover and red-crowned kākāriki (as a
surrogate species for kākāriki karaka/orange-fronted
kākāriki).
“Once the trial is accomplished, we’ll
have good proof about how effectively the vaccine works and the way
a lot safety it would present to those manu/birds.
Vaccination could be used when chicken flu has arrived to
make sure the safety is recent and
sturdy.”
Conflict of curiosity: None. Bruce notes
that he’s President of Birds NZ.
Professor Jemma
Geoghegan, Virologist, University of Otago,
feedback:
“The discovery of birds contaminated with
extremely pathogenic avian influenza virus now on mainland
Antarctica is alarming, however not all that shocking given
how geographically widespread this virus has develop into
globally. This discovering demonstrates the flexibility of H5N1 to
unfold over lengthy distances and highlights its potential to
unfold even additional: as much as New Zealand. Close monitoring of
the virus is required to detect it because it spreads into different
species, because it has carried out so in different areas. Surveillance in
New Zealand’s sub-Antarctic islands is now essential for its
early detection.”
No battle of
curiosity.
Nigel French, Distinguished Professor of
Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Public Health, Massey
University, feedback:
“The virus is continuous to
develop each its host vary and geographical vary. While
that is some trigger for concern, at present the danger remains to be
very low because of the relative isolation of Aotearoa and the
absence of sure threat elements, such because the presence of
migratory waterfowl. Ongoing monitoring of the worldwide
scenario, mixed with surveillance for early detection
and preventive measures (reminiscent of vaccination of endangered
wildlife the place potential), will all assist to mitigate the
risk to our at-risk populations.”
No battle
of
curiosity.
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