As feared in recent months, the extremely pathogenic avian flu that continues to unfold in a number of world areas has been confirmed for the primary time within the Antarctic, British scientists reported yesterday.
The virus was discovered throughout sampling of sick and lifeless brown skuas discovered on Bird Island off the coast of South Georgia, located within the South Atlantic Ocean east of Argentina’s Falkland Islands and north of Antarctica’s mainland. Brown skuas are massive seabirds that breed in subantarctic and Antarctic zones, shifting farther north when not breeding.
Unclear how virus unfold will unfold within the area
The exams outcomes have been announced yesterday by the British Antarctic Survey, which operates two analysis stations on South Georgia, together with one on Bird Island. The group mentioned the avian flu detections prompted a halt to most subject work that concerned animal dealing with. Biosecurity measures stay in place, and monitoring stays beneath means for areas the place wildlife density is excessive.
It’s not clear how the virus will have an effect on wildlife in South Georgia, given the variable transmission and mortality patterns, the survey mentioned. It mentioned the supply of the virus within the brown skuas isn’t sure, however possible pertains to the birds getting back from migration to Argentina, the place quite a few detections have been reported over the previous few months.
In August, the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) issued a report warning concerning the danger of H5N1 avian flu unfold to Antarctica’s wildlife populations, because the virus continued to unfold southward at a brisk tempo. The virus was first detected in South America in October 2022, and within the area of three months unfold to its southern tip.
In late August, H5N1 was reported in Argentina’s sea lions, together with in Terra del Fuego, which is an Antarctica gateway space.
Susceptible animals dwelling in massive teams
WOAH and the FAO mentioned the virus would in all probability proceed to unfold south to Antarctica and its offshore islands with the migration of birds from South America. The teams warned that the affect on animals within the area could possibly be immense, owing to their susceptibility to the virus and since they reside in dense colonies, which permits environment friendly virus transmission.
They mentioned although little will be completed to cease the virus from spreading, key steps embrace surveillance, precisely documenting mortality occasions, and following tips to mitigate the unfold of the virus by way of human exercise.
