WHO warns Antarctic wildlife threatened by bird flu

The current highly pathogenic avian influenza epidemic is spreading (highly pathogenic avian influenzaAccording to reports of recent discoveries on the continent of Antarctica, it has reached an unprecedented milestone. The virus first emerged in Europe in 2021 and has now spread across continents, reaching North America in the same year and South America in 2022.

Most recently, it expanded its reach to the Antarctic islands in 2023. However, the situation became more serious as it advanced and penetrated the northern tip of the Antarctic continent, according to the Global Animal Health Information System report.Vashis

) World Organization for Animal Health.

The discovery was made through the identification of the virus polar skua Collected by Argentine scientists near the Argentine Antarctic Research Base Primavera. “Skuas are large seabirds that breed in the subantarctic and Antarctic regions and represent Worrying vector Because they migrate north when not breeding,” they noted.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza, once considered a threat mainly to poultry, has now ushered in a “new normal” in which highly pathogenic avian influenza Moving from wild birds to wild mammals The impact goes beyond anything seen before.

Estimates vary, but according to the latest statistics, More than 485 bird species from 25 orders are affected Since 2021, 37 new mammalian species have been infected. Only the Pacific Islands, Australia and New Zealand remain free of the disease, but the situation is changing rapidly.

HPAI outbreaks have caused significant declines in wildlife, including marine mammals of south america. Despite the challenges, there are strategies to better protect wildlife in the short and long term.

These include preventing new infections in poultry by: better biosecurityimplement improved surveillance systems to report the epidemiology of the virus and benefit wildlife, and adopt a coordinated, interagency and multisectoral approach to respond to wildlife outbreaks.

For example, the Wildlife Working Group WHOA sets out new vaccination guidelines The protection of wild birds is of great significance to the protection of highly pathogenic avian influenza and the management of highly pathogenic avian influenza in marine mammals.

“The current scale of wildlife loss poses an unprecedented risk of decimated wildlife populations, creating an ecological crisis. WHOA encourages its members Rapidly and comprehensively respond to highly pathogenic avian influenza epidemics In the case of wildlife, there is an emphasis on integrating wildlife health into animal health surveillance, notification, preparedness and response systems, they noted.

These efforts need to not only recognize wildlife as a potential risk to human and farm animal health; Creatures that should be protected. OMSA emphasizes the importance of strong interagency coordination and drawing on diverse expertise to ensure transparency, fairness and mutual benefit in decision-making.