Bird flu found in Galapagos means all birds are susceptible, scientists warn
The Galapagos tents have gone down in history for their important role in the development of Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. But nearly 200 years later, these animals are back in the spotlight in science. Again in a negative way, they have been pointed to as a possible source of the next avian influenza (H5N1) pandemic.
All Galapagos birds are vulnerable
Three of the five dead birds recently tested positive for the disease, according to the Galapagos National Park Service (GNPD).
This is the first time the virus has hit the islands.
Scientists warn that non-native identification of H5N1 means all bird species are susceptible.
Currently, only Antarctica and Australia are free of bird flu outbreaks.
After tests on the Ecuadorian mainland, the two birds (two frigates and an atobá) were confirmed to be victims of the H5N1 virus.
Two and five samples were initially tested, and three of them tested positive for H5N1 avian influenza.
Over the past two years, more than 500 million farmed birds have died or been killed by the virus, and hundreds of thousands of wild birds are estimated to have died worldwide.
Bird flu has also killed thousands of sea lions in South America. Shrimp, worms and some humans are also infected.
The fact is that this situation has been circulating for decades, due to intensive farming and mutations that led to the spread of avian influenza. Recently, scientists confirmed that a new mutation makes the virus more dangerous at transmitting to humans. The discovery of a virus subtype circulating in Chinese poultry farms raises concerns about potential future epidemics or pandemics, researchers have confirmed.
