Argentine scientists have confirmed the presence of the virus in samples taken from deceased skua seabirds, marking the first instance of a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus being detected on the mainland of Antarctica. This development, announced by Spain's Higher Council for Scientific Investigation (CSIC) on Sunday, underscores the potential threat posed to the vast penguin colonies inhabiting the southern region.
According to CSIC, the confirmation of the virus's presence on Saturday was based on findings from deceased skua seabirds discovered near the Antarctic base Primavera. This revelation is significant as it indicates the virus's ability to breach the natural barriers and vast distances separating Antarctica from other continents.
The emergence of the virus on the Antarctic peninsula, following previous cases on nearby islands such as infections among gentoo penguins, raises concerns about the vulnerability of bird populations in the region to the H5N1 avian flu. This strain has caused widespread devastation to avian populations globally in recent times.
CSIC's statement highlighted that thorough analysis confirmed the birds were infected with the H5 subtype of avian influenza, with at least one of the deceased birds carrying the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus.
Argentina's Antarctic Institute revealed on Monday that collaborative efforts between Argentine and Spanish researchers led to the testing of samples collected from deceased birds near the Argentine base earlier in the year, confirming the presence of the virus.
Given the densely packed colonies of hundreds of thousands of penguins on the Antarctic continent and neighboring islands, there is a heightened risk of the virus spreading rapidly among these vulnerable populations. Data from the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research also indicated a confirmed case at the research base, emphasizing the need for continued monitoring and preventive measures to safeguard the region's wildlife.
