A pair of Petrels are seen in entrance of the Commandante Ferraz Brazilian Antarctic Station on the Antarctic continent November 25, 2008. REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker (ANTARCTICA)/File Photo
LONDON — Bird flu has been detected for the primary time in mammals in sub-Antarctica, Britain’s Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) mentioned on Thursday, elevating considerations the virus might unfold and threaten massive populations of wildlife within the area.
The APHA mentioned extremely pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was present in elephant and fur seals on the island of South Georgia, a UK abroad territory located within the Southern Atlantic Ocean. It had been testing for chicken flu in mammals within the area because it was first suspected final 12 months.
“Given Antarctica is such a unique and special biodiversity hotspot it is sad and concerning to see the disease spread to mammals in the region,” the APHA’s Director of Scientific Services Professor Ian Brown mentioned, including very massive populations of seabirds and sea mammals might be put in danger.
The sub-Antarctic refers to a area instantly north of the Antarctic, containing a number of islands.
APHA mentioned the information urged there had not been a widespread adaptation of the virus and there was no elevated danger to people, with the danger of human an infection remaining very low.
South Georgia, round 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) south east of the Falkland Islands and solely accessible by ship, has a few of the most intently monitored seabird colonies on this planet.
H5N1 was first suspected on an island off the northwest coast of South Georgia in October after a number of brown skua died. The company mentioned information from the contaminated birds indicated the virus had possible been launched by migratory chicken motion from South America.
Brown mentioned samples can be shared with the company’s worldwide companions to help efforts to deal with the virus, however warned that uncertainties stay as to the way it was infecting and spreading.
Last 12 months, there have been quite a few outbreaks of avian flu throughout Europe, the United States, Japan and south American nations, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of birds and mammals.
Millions of livestock prior to now years have additionally been culled to stop the unfold of the extremely contagious virus.
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