They investigate whether El Niño affects avian influenza and its spread

The paradisiacal Galagagos Islands, one of the best-preserved marine sanctuaries in the world, where British scientist Charles Darwin developed his theories of species selection and natural evolution in the 19th century, are not immune. Bird flu has infected several species of birds in the archipelago. A team of researchers on the archipelago is trying to determine whether the El Niño climate phenomenon could help authorities take steps to stop its spread.

Strict biosecurity rules, constant monitoring and the closure of some islands to tourism have allowed authorities to stem the spread of the disease in the archipelago, an area rich in biodiversity, much of which is endemic.

Arturo Izurieta, director of the Galapagos National Park, said in an interview with EFE: “We have taken the measures within our capabilities and used appropriate technical means, and I think this has It has had an effect.” Since 1978, it has been listed as a natural heritage of mankind by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

A team of scientists from the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) is investigating whether this climate phenomenon is already having an impact on Ecuador due to an active El Niño – abnormal warming of the eastern tropical Pacific that causes heavy rains and flooding along the coast of mainland Ecuador. Impact on the rate of spread of the H5N1 virus that causes avian influenza.

Gustavo Jiménez Uzcátegui, chief researcher of the CDF’s seabird project, told EFE that after multiple monitoring sessions and collecting hundreds of samples, they have identified four affected birds: red-footed boobies, blue-footed boobies, nausea Card boobies and frigates.

Tests showed 34 positive cases among birds, but of the remaining deaths, “it has not been proven” that they were caused by avian influenza, he said, noting that “ground zero” was Punta San Cristobal Island There are cases in Pitt, but also on Genovese Island, Darwin Island, Wolfe Island and Lobos Island.

They are currently investigating in the archipelago, about a thousand kilometers off the coast of mainland Ecuador, why the disease does not spread as easily as in mainland Peru, Chile and Ecuador.

The disease arrived in the Galapagos Islands in September 2023, spreading both mechanically (transfer of equipment or humans) and direct transmission (from sick animals to healthy animals). Jimenez said the virus reached the islands through affected individuals “who may have come from feeding areas in the Galapagos Islands.”

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They investigate whether El Niño affects avian influenza and its spread

Jiménez said the disease is “literally devastating and the animal will die within 48 hours.” Bird flu generally has a greater impact in colder areas, he added.

“The hypothesis we make is that temperatures are rising due to El Niño,” and by keeping them that way, the virus can be prevented from affecting different species more aggressively, he noted.

Therefore, he speculated, “Maybe El Niño is positive just so that the disease is not as deadly and active as it would be during the normal cold season.” This will be confirmed by monitoring. After the warm season has passed, El Niño will continue until 2024. mid-term.

“Over thousands of years, El Niño and La Niña have had both positive and negative impacts on Galapagos species and habitats, and these species have evolved in response,” commented Jimenez. But problems arise when El Niño occurs. Climate change is becoming stronger and more frequent due to the climate crisis.

“We have followed up and suspended boat tours (in certain areas) in line with the biosecurity mechanisms required for this, as the spread of the virus may occur physically: red-footed boobies following the boats, on board To defecate, passengers can trample and transport to other islands,” explains Izurieta.

Therefore, the islands of Genoviza, northern San Cristóbal, Punta Piet and Lobos are temporarily closed to tourism “in order to avoid the impact on other islands with endemic and vulnerable populations, such as Española” Damage was caused and tourism was suspended. The visit to Punta Suarez”, he explained.

On Monday, they lifted last week’s restrictions on land travel to Punta Espinosa (Fernandina Island) and Bahia Urbina (Isabela Island) because of the presence of laboratories in these areas Several dead birds were found, ruling out the possibility of bird flu. ..

Previously, “the possibility of visiting beach areas away from the community has been slightly opened, with all the technical reports to avoid the spread of this virus and to manage tourism in the best possible way,” Izurieta explained.

Park directors have announced that if the latest monitoring results for Lobo Island come back negative, they may open the park the first week of April, followed by Punta Pete Island, but everything is still being studied.

Information from EFE.

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