Antarctica may be facing the spread of avian influenza
In October 2023, the H5N1 avian flu virus was detected for the first time in the Antarctic region, specifically on King George Island near the northern coast of the Antarctic mainland. A research team from Friedrich Schiller University Jena made the discovery during their investigation.
The virus, known to spread among birds through saliva, has been causing concern for various bird populations in the region. The largest mortality events are expected to occur along the southern coast of South America, but the exact impact on penguin populations remains uncertain.
During a research expedition at the beginning of the year, 52 dead animals were found, most of which were skuas, or jaegers, but southern giant petrels and Antarctic prions were also found among the deceased. However, it can be assumed that many more animals are affected than have been found, due to scavengers in the region quickly eating or dragging away carcasses.
It's worth noting that not all of the dead animals found during the expedition were tested for H5N1, and some results are still pending. The influenza A infection has been spreading in the Antarctic, as evidenced by the detection on King George Island.
Birds in the Antarctic breed in relatively limited space, with only about 2% of the area being ice-free. Many of these birds are migratory, overwintering in the north. Wild waterfowl such as ducks and geese are identified as the main carriers introducing the bird flu to farms, with species like white storks and black storks being particularly notable. These birds have varying migration routes crossing different regions, which could facilitate bird flu spread during migration.
Jaegers, or skuas, have been recorded as having built up immunity to the virus. Birds that have already built up immunity may not be affected by the flu. However, the H5N1 bird flu virus poses a risk to other bird species, particularly those that are migrating north in the coming weeks and are more likely to come into contact with the virus.
There is a possibility that the bird flu could break through and cause a local population to die out. The detection of the H5N1 bird flu virus on King George Island indicates a clear mortality rate among the animals found on the island. The exact number of animals affected by the bird flu is not yet known, as some test results are still pending.
The discovery of the H5N1 bird flu virus in the Antarctic raises concerns about the potential spread of the bird flu to other regions, particularly as migratory birds begin their northward journey. Further research is needed to understand the full impact of the bird flu on bird populations in the Antarctic and to develop strategies for mitigating its spread.
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