Cruel paradox of Spanish discovery of bird flu in Antarctica

However, you can also confirm The beginning of disaster: “We are saddened by the impact it may have on fauna, given that we have just seen its strong impact in South America,” the scientists explained to La Español. They predict a high mortality rate of 30% for skuas, also known as skuas, the first Antarctic species confirmed to be infected with the virus.

The discovery occurred on February 24 when a group of Argentinian scientists transported two samples of dead skuas they found near the Antarctic base of Primavera to the Spanish Antarctic base Gabriel Deca on Decepcion Island Styria. Researchers at the Severo Ochoa Center for Molecular Biology analyzed them and they realized that this was a “very nervous“.

(Bird flu mutates, adapts to mammals and takes ‘first step towards human pandemic’)

The tension intensifies during the final step of analysis—sequencing. “difficult to do, taking into account the laboratory conditions. “It was a much more rudimentary laboratory than what they usually used and what they had to set up when they arrived. As they have already pointed out to this newspaper, it was difficult. Distinguish between clean and dirty areas

. Space was also quite limited, so they had to leave some equipment on the floor. Even so, Spain is one of the few countries with such facilities in Antarctica.

my country launched a protocol against highly pathogenic avian influenza in Antarctica in November before taking action.Although the quantity is small Described cases in humansdid not rule out possible transmission: “To avoid risks, access to areas with animals has been restricted and we will continue to follow these guidelines.”

more frequent infections

Analytical results indicate that skuas Infection with H5 subtype avian influenza, and at least one bird contained highly pathogenic avian influenza virus.According to the latest data The Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research (SCAR) said suspected cases have also been reported in other skua species and kelp gulls.

It is true that the origin of the H5N1 avian influenza virus can be traced back to the end of the last century. The difference is, until now it hasn’t been that deadly.estimate has killed millions of wild birds around the world Since 2021. The only continent where no cases have been confirmed so far is Oceania.

Arrive in Antarctica in October last year when it was discovered in the subantarctic islands. Its presence has also been confirmed in the Falkland Islands. The first species affected are birds: gulls, terns and skuas. However, the virus soon spread to mammals in the area, infecting elephant seals and fur seals.

Comp explains in this article Raúl Rivas, professor of microbiology at the University of Salamanca, said the virus has improved its ability to enter mammalian cells: “Infections are becoming more frequent

The types of mammals are very different and in some cases, they are very large in size.

Everything indicates that the virus has reached Antarctica as well. But it wasn’t until Spanish scientists performed specific PCR for the influenza virus and the H5 subtype and sequenced a section of the virus that it was confirmed.

“By setting up a laboratory here, We got a relatively quick response. When other researchers identify suspected cases, they must send samples to their country of origin for sequencing,” Alkami explained.

Indeed, none have been reported to date, due to the difficulty of acquisition and the complexity of sampling fauna in Antarctica. Of course, researchers don’t know if the origin was found somewhere.The kua migrated from one of the sub-Antarctic regions where the virus has been detected, or because infections were already present in the area.

Next target: penguins

The problem with confirming the virus’s existence is that it may not only occur in skuas, but may also affect other susceptible aquatic birds and marine mammals, such as penguins.In the penguin colony where Alkami and Vazquez collected samples, there were About 17,000 pairs of penguins.

The virologists will remain at the Antarctic base until March 9.Until then your goal is to try Confirm any suspected cases, whether in a penguin colony or elsewhere. There have been no reported cases on Decepcion Island (where the base is located).

If we do, the consequences will be similar to Skua’s: “We don’t know How lethal is it to penguins? chin strap (Antarctic tail beetle). But we thought it would be similar to the Skua. “

Variants of the virus have been confirmed in many areas of the northern hemisphere. But its presence in the southern hemisphere was not confirmed until last summer.Epidemics in the region (in countries such as South Africa, Chile and Argentina) have also confirmed

those penguins Vulnerable to H5N1 virus.

In southern America, the virus has killed more than 500,000 seabirds, with penguins, pelicans and boobies being the most affected species. In Antarctica, too, there’s no way to control the numbers: “It would be a disaster for the penguins,” Vazquez said.

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