The first positive cases of avian influenza in Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) and Antarctic cormorants (Leucocarbo bransfieldensis) mark a milestone in wildlife health research in the region.
The samples were collected from 13 breeding colonies on the Antarctic Peninsula and the west coast of the White Continent, in which nine cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) were detected.
The region had previously been on alert for the disease after unusual deaths of skuas were reported at the Czech Johann Gregor Mendel base on James Ross Island in March. The presence of the virus in the area was confirmed on Tuesday after sampling. The news was announced during the LX Antarctic scientific expedition organized by the Chilean Antarctic Institute.
Since this occurred, the Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research has developed a virus surveillance program to understand and mitigate the risks associated with avian disease.
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