Antarctica is often imagined as the last untouched wilderness. Unfortunately, (“bird flu”) is encroaching on the icy continent. The virus has already reached the between the Antarctic Peninsula and South America. It’s only a matter of time before it reaches the Antarctic continent.
Authors
Hanne E F Nielsen
Senior lecturer, University of Tasmania
Meagan Dewar
Lecturer in the School of Science, Psychology and Sport, Federation University Australia
Michelle Wille
Senior research fellow, The University of Melbourne
So far avian influenza has been detected in several seabird species on and the . These birds are known to travel to Antarctica. Researchers also suspect avian influenza caused mass deaths of southern elephant seals.
The arrival of avian influenza in Antarctica could have potentially catastrophic consequences for the wildlife, decimating large populations.
Antarctic avian influenza outbreaks may also disrupt tourism and research activities during the busy summer season. So what can we do during this challenging time?
The bird flu pandemic
We are in the midst of a “panzootic” – a large-scale pandemic of , which is occurring across the world and has affected more than 200 species of wild birds.
While this strain of avian influenza (H5N1) , the genetics and epidemiology of the virus have shifted. Once mostly found in poultry, it is now infecting large numbers of wild birds. Migrating birds have with substantial outbreaks now occurring in Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and South America.
Avian influenza has devastated seabird populations around the world, including a 70% reduction of on Bass Rock in the United Kingdom. Many birds are diseased, with signs including loss of coordination, watery eyes, head twisting, breathing distress or lethargy.
Beyond birds, this virus may have killed more than and over pups in South America. In South Georgia mass deaths have been observed in but the virus was not detected in samples sent for laboratory tests.
Bird flu moving further south
The first detection of avian influenza near Antarctica occurred in early October on Bird Island, , in brown skuas (seabirds similar to large gulls).
A case on the Falkland (Malvinas) Islands was confirmed a few weeks later in another seabird species, the southern fulmar.
Genetic analysis revealed the virus entered these regions on .
Skuas and kelp gulls were highlighted as species in a recent risk assessment, as they travel into the region from South America. They are also highly susceptible to avian influenza, with related species in the .
What does this mean for Antarctica?
The Antarctic Peninsula, with its , is an important breeding ground for many key Antarctic species.
Critically, those species – and others, including the iconic Emperor penguin – live in and are not found elsewhere in the world, making them particularly vulnerable to disease outbreaks.
Outbreaks on the Antarctic Peninsula will also be extremely disruptive to the tourism industry. More than visited as tourists in the 2022-23 season. People visit to see wildlife, make a continental landing, and enjoy the scenery.
Once avian influenza is confirmed at a particular location, sites will be . This will lead to a different experience for visitors, with land-based wildlife encounters pivoting to cruise-based activities.
What are we doing?
The of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research has developed recommendations for the research and tourism communities.
These recommendations include information around biosecurity, testing and reporting of cases. The network’s collates information on suspected and confirmed cases of the H5N1 avian influenza strain in the Antarctic region. This is central to rapid data sharing.
During the 2022-23 season, a tested suspected cases and conducted surveys, which excluded the presence of avian influenza.
This year, through the generosity of industry partners, we will dramatically expand this effort. The network will conduct surveys across the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic to monitor the presence and impact of the virus on wildlife.
Safety and biosecurity measures have been boosted across the and to reduce the risk of people spreading the virus. This should ensure essential scientific research and tourism activities can continue safely.
New measures now in place include:
- disinfection of boots and outer clothing
- wearing of N95 masks, protective glasses and gloves when working with wildlife
- restrictions on access to infected sites.
Tourism can play an important role in detecting and monitoring the spread of the virus, alerting authorities to new cases in locations not visited by scientists.
The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators is on high alert. Extra training for will help them identify wildlife illness quickly.
Antarctica is connected
Many threats to Antarctica – including climate change, pollution, and pathogens – originate elsewhere. Climate change is expected to and Antarctica is not immune.
Disease surveillance and information sharing between all those active in the far south are vital to help minimise the impacts of avian influenza and future disease threats.
The avian influenza example highlights the connectivity of our world, and why we need to care for the planet at home in order to protect the far south.
Hanne E F Nielsen receives funding from the Australian Research Council, Linkage partner organisation Intrepid Travel, the Dutch Research Council, and the Australian Antarctic Division. Hurtigruten Australia provides in-kind support for fieldwork.
Michelle Wille has an honorary appointment with the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza.
Meagan Dewar ne travaille pas, ne conseille pas, ne possède pas de parts, ne reçoit pas de fonds d’une organisation qui pourrait tirer profit de cet article, et n’a déclaré aucune autre affiliation que son organisme de recherche.
