Madrid, February 25 (EFE) – A highly pathogenic avian influenza virus has been detected for the first time in specimens of dead birds in Antarctica.
This was confirmed by researchers from the Severo Ochoa Center for Molecular Biology of the Spanish Higher Scientific Research Council (CSIC).
On Saturday, CSIC scientists Angela Vazquez and Antonio Alcami confirmed the presence of the virus in two samples of dead skuas after analysis.
Argentinian scientists collected the specimens near the Primavera Antarctic base, CSIC reported in a statement on Sunday.
🇦🇷 Emilio Marcos Palma: first human and Argentinian citizen born in Antarctica on January 7, 1978 https://t.co/ONyudrdIPz
— Argentine Antarctica (@AntarticArg) January 7, 2024
Program preparation
According to CSIC, this discovery will allow national polar programs to prepare to avoid the spread of infection through human sources; and most importantly, avoid infecting others.
The team of scientists was led by CSIC researcher Antonio Alcami, who works at the Spanish Gabriel de Castilla Antarctic Base on Deception Island.
According to CSIC, the team confirmed the presence of the virus in two samples collected and took maximum protective measures to avoid transmission of the virus to humans.
Once the sample is collected, the virus in it is immediately inactivated so that it can be safely studied.
Likewise, they were transported to the Spanish base in the utmost security on an Argentinian ship of the Joint Antarctic Patrol. Vazquez and Alkami analyzed them there.
infected birds
Analysis ultimately showed that the birds were infected with the H5 subtype of avian influenza, and that at least one contained the highly pathogenic virus.
These analyzes include PCR specific for influenza virus and H5 subtypes, followed by sequencing of the protease cleavage region.
This is 100% certain that highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses exist.
This confirmation was made possible thanks to international cooperation, especially with Argentina, and the coordination of the Spanish Polar Commission.
— Argentine Antarctica (@AntarticArg) January 7, 2024
The International Antarctic Organization’s Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research (SCAR) and the Committee for the Management of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP) are also collaborating.
They were informed of the findings as required by the Antarctic Treaty.
The discovery is the first to demonstrate that the virus reached Antarctica despite its distance and natural barriers from other continents. This may also explain the death of birds in the Antarctic summer.
This variant has been found in many places in the northern hemisphere and, since last year, also in the southern hemisphere.
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