Avian flu has reached Antarctica. Scientists from the Severo Ochoa Molecular Biology Center of the Higher Council for Scientific Research (Csic), which depends on the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, have confirmed the presence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, for the first time around the South Pole, last February 24th. Specifically, the team – led by the Csic researcher Antonio Alcamiwhich works at the Spanish Antarctic base Gabriel de Castilla, on Deception Island – analyzed the viruses found in two samples of Skua (birds belonging to the skua family) that died near the Argentine Antarctic base Primavera.
Bird flu, positive girl in Hong Kong. Human-to-human contagion is feared February 23, 2024
The two confirmed cases of avian flu
The samples – the Csic specifies in a note – were obtained by adopting the maximum protection measures to avoid the transmission of the virus to people, and the viruses present were immediately inactivated to be able to study them in complete safety. Subsequently, the samples were transported by an Argentine ship to the Antarctic base on Deception Island, where they were analyzed by CSIC researchers Ángela Vazquez and Alcamí.
The infection caused by the H5 subtype
The analysis demonstrated that the birds were infected with the H5 subtype of avian influenza and that the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus was present in at least one specimen, identified by analyzes with 100% reliability.
WHO: “Avian flu could infect humans more easily” 13 July 2023
What does this discovery mean?
The discovery therefore 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 – the researchers highlight – and will allow the preparation of prevention programs targeted.
Furthermore, the discovery could also explain the bird deaths recorded during the Antarctic summer. Until now, the more aggressive variant had been found in numerous locations in the northern hemisphere and, since last summer, also in the southern hemisphere.
The virus has recently been described in the sub-Antarctic islands, but to date, although significant deaths of some birds have been reported in the Antarctic territory, its presence has never been confirmed.
Subjects