The deadly avian flu has breached the Antarctic, raising grave concerns for isolated penguin and seal populations that have never encountered this lethal virus at any time prior.
The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) conducted tests after noticing unexplained mortality in the bird populations on Bird Island. BAS science manager Ashley Bennison expressed sadness over the confirmation of the virus's presence, stating that the full impact remains uncertain.
A risk assessment by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research identified fur seals, sea lions, skuas, and gulls as the most vulnerable to the disease, followed by penguins, birds of prey, sheathbills, and giant petrels.
Dr. Meagan Dewar, the chair of the Antarctic Wildlife Health Network, warned of the potential "catastrophic breeding failure" that could devastate multiple wildlife species in the region.
The report emphasizes the need for ongoing disease surveillance programs to identify new and emerging pathogens, given the concerning arrival of H5N1 in the Antarctic. The virus' rapid spread through South America, spanning almost 4,000 miles in three months, was largely facilitated by the migration patterns of wild birds, making its arrival in South Georgia an inevitable concern.
Following the positive tests on Bird Island, fieldwork involving animal handling has been temporarily suspended, and stringent precautions are being taken to prevent further transmission.