Bird flu: UN researchers say virus could have reached Antarctica
A report by the Influenza Experts Network of the World Organization for Animal Health (OMSA), an entity responding to influenza tracks United Nationsby noting Imminent danger of bird flu virus reaching Antarctic territory, which could be devastating to its rich fauna. Antarctica and Australia are fortunate to be one of only two continents that remain immune to the pathogen.
read more: They confirmed that a sea lion killed in Necochea was infected with bird flu
The report highlights a bleak picture of the virus likely to wreak havoc on Antarctic wildlife far beyond its impact on South American wildlife.
In 2020, the first symptoms of the epidemic appeared in birds with the detection of a new virus variant called “H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b.” This strain first appeared in North America It later spread to South America through migratory birds.
These migratory birds are sometimes carriers of the virus but do not show obvious symptoms and can act as vectors.when they are with Poultry, such as hens or chicks, create an environment conducive to virus transmission in crowded environments. Likewise, mammals can be affected by avian influenza if they come into contact with infected birds.
South America continent background
Unfortunately, seabird populations in Peru and Chile have declined substantially, more than 500,000 dead specimensand the tragic loss of 25,000 sea lions, as documented in the scientists’ report.
These deaths have had a devastating impact, equivalent to 36 percent of the pelican population in Peru and 13 percent of the Humboldt penguin population in Chile. Furthermore, in Peru and Chile, sea lions accounted for 9 percent of the total number of these mammals.
read more: Bird flu: 240,000 chickens die in Mar del Plata and Rionegro
In Argentina, which declared a state of health emergency in February this year, Outbreaks of the disease have been confirmed in wild birds and poultry. August marks the start of an outbreak for colonies of South American sea lions living along the Atlantic coast (from the coast of Buenos Aires to Tierra del Fuego). The latest outbreak affecting sea lions in Buenos Aires province Mayor Bratovic’s hot springs was sanctioned by the National Agricultural Products Health and Quality Service (Senasa) last Tuesday.