They confirm for the first time the presence of avian influenza viruses in Antarctica

presence of virus Avian Influenza Highly pathogenic detected First appearance in copy dead bird inside AntarcticaConfirmed by researchers at the Severo Ochoa Center for Molecular Biology of the Spanish Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC).

Analysis by CSIC scientists Ángela Vázquez and Antonio Alcamí confirmed the presence of the virus in two skua samples (pay themArgentine scientists collected the dead bodies near the Antarctic base of Primavera, China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation said in a statement.

According to CSIC, the discovery will allow national polar programs to prepare to avoid the spread of infections through human-made means and, most importantly, avoid infecting humans.

According to CSIC, a team of scientists led by CSIC researcher Antonio Alcamí confirmed that in two samples collected while working at the Spanish Gabriel de Castilla Antarctic base on the island of Decepcion The virus exists. Measures to prevent the spread of the virus to humans.

Immediately after the sample was collected, the virus in it was inactivated so that it could be safely studied and transported with maximum security by an Argentinian ship of the Joint Antarctic Patrol to the Spanish base, where Vazquez and Alkami analyzed the sample. Analyzed.

Analysis ultimately showed the birds were infected H5 subtype of Avian Influenza At least one contained a highly pathogenic virus.

These analyzes include specific PCR for influenza viruses and the H5 subtype, followed by sequencing of the protease cleavage region, providing 100% certainty of the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses.

This confirmation was made possible thanks to international cooperation, in particular with Argentina, and coordination with the Spanish Polar Commission.

The International Antarctic Organization’s Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and the Committee for the Administration of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP) have also collaborated and have notified the findings as required by the Antarctic Treaty.

The discovery is the first to show that the virus has arrived in Antarctica despite its distance and natural barriers from other continents, and may also explain Antarctic summer bird deaths.

This variant has been found in many places in the northern hemisphere and, since last year, also in the southern hemisphere.

The virus was recently described on subantarctic islands, but so far no country has proven its presence in the Antarctic region, despite reports of mass die-offs of some birds.

Spain has launched a Avian Influenza Highly pathogenic Antarctica The Council noted that all participants in the program strictly adhered to the event last November, before it began.

According to information from EFE