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Scientists Confirm Deadly Bird Flu In Mainland Antarctica; Poses Risk For Penguins And Environment
Scientists have confirmed the presence of a dangerous bird flu virus, known as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAIV), in mainland Antarctica. This discovery has raised concerns about possible harm to the local environment. The virus, which causes severe illness in birds, was found in samples taken from deceased skuas by a team of researchers from the Severo Ochoa Molecular Biology Center of the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC).
"This discovery demonstrates for the first time that the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus has reached Antarctica despite the distance and natural barriers that separate it from other continents," Spain's Higher Council for Scientific Investigation (CSIC) said on Sunday.
Led by Antonio Alcami, the team discovered the virus in two samples of skuas collected from the Spanish Antarctic Base "Gabriel de Castilla" on Deception Island. Alcami emphasized that strict measures were taken to prevent the spread of the virus to humans during sample collection, and the samples were made safe for analysis.
Further examination by CSIC researchers Angela Vázquez and Antonio Alcami revealed that the birds were infected with the H5 subtype of avian influenza, with at least one bird carrying the highly pathogenic strain.
Hundreds of thousands of penguins gather in tightly packed colonies on the Antarctic continent and nearby islands, which could enable the deadly virus to easily spread. The Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation of Colombia highlighted the importance of this discovery in aiding national polar programs to prevent the transmission of the virus to humans.
This finding comes after a strain of bird flu was recently identified in gentoo penguins near mainland Antarctica. It is the first time the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus has been detected in Antarctica, despite the geographical barriers separating the continent from others. The discovery suggests a possible link between the presence of the virus and the observed bird deaths during the Antarctic summer.
Avian Flu Strikes Seals And Penguins In Antarctica
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Avian Flu Outbreak Affects Seals and Penguins in Antarctica The arrival of H5N1 sparked fears of its potential transmission to other wildlife species, particularly penguins, which inhabit the same fragile ecosystems as seals. While seals bore the brunt of the initial outbreak, recent developments indicated a concerning shift in the virus's impact. Scientific investigations conducted by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) uncovered distressing evidence of H5N1 among gentoo penguins, a species endemic to sub-Antarctic regions. Initial findings suggested a significant threat to penguin populations, with confirmed cases of the virus detected through Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing.Did You Know? The emergence of avian flu in Antarctica poses a grave threat to seals and penguins, underscoring the vulnerability of polar wildlife.
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Falkland Islands Face Risk of Avian Flu Outbreak The Falkland Islands, a key habitat for various penguin species, faced a grim reality as authorities prepared for the possibility of a large-scale outbreak. Reports of chick mortality further underscored the severity of the situation, prompting urgent action to contain the spread of the virus and safeguard vulnerable wildlife populations.Advertisement
Measures to Contain the Avian Flu Outbreak The emergence of H5N1 in seals and its subsequent transmission to penguins highlighted the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the profound impact of infectious diseases on wildlife. As scientists and conservationists worked tirelessly to mitigate the crisis, the incident served as a stark reminder of the ongoing threats posed by avian flu and the critical need for robust surveillance and intervention measures in remote and vulnerable habitats. The response to the outbreak involved collaborative efforts between government agencies, research institutions, and conservation organizations to monitor the spread of the virus and implement measures to protect vulnerable wildlife populations. Additionally, public awareness campaigns were launched to educate local communities and visitors about the importance of biosecurity protocols in preventing the introduction and spread of infectious diseases in sensitive ecosystems.Reference:
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Antarctica Sees First Bird Flu Case, Confirms Scientists
Scientists have said the first confirmation of a lethal strain of avian influenza on Antarctica's mainland, posing a potential threat to the extensive penguin colonies in the southern region.
As reported by Reuters, citing Spain's Higher Council for Scientific Investigation (CSIC) said on Sunday, "This discovery demonstrates for the first time that the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus has reached Antarctica despite the distance and natural barriers that separate it from other continents."
CSIC further added that the presence of the virus was confirmed on Saturday in samples of dead skua seabirds that were found by Argentine scientists near the Antarctic base Primavera.
Also Read: Bird Flu Outbreak: WHO issues warning after H1N1 strain infects cats in countries. All you need to know
The recent confirmation of a case on the Antarctic peninsula, following instances on nearby islands, including among gentoo penguins, underscores the danger posed to colonies in the area by the H5N1 avian flu.
Moreover, this strain has caused significant declines in bird populations globally in recent months.
"Analysis has conclusively shown that the birds were infected with the H5 subtype of avian influenza and at least one of the dead birds contained the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus," CSIC said in a statement.
Reuters reported that Argentina's Antarctic Institute on Monday said that the South American country had worked with Spanish researchers to test samples from dead birds found earlier in the year near the Argentine base, which confirmed the presence of the virus.
Also Read: Polar bear dies from bird flu in Alaska as H5N1 virus spreads across globe
Hundreds of thousands of penguins gather in tightly packed colonies on the Antarctic continent and nearby islands, which could enable the deadly virus to easily spread.
Data from the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research also showed a now-confirmed case at the research base.
(With inputs from Reuters)
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