Alarming spread of bird flu in the Antarctic!

Alarming spread of bird flu in the Antarctic!

Australian researchers warn of an alarming advent of the bird flu virus H5N1 in mammals in the Antarctic. According to a report by the Ostsee-Zeitung 15 different animal species are now affected, including seabirds, penguins and various types of seals. The diagnosis of the crab eatery seals, which are considered “killer virus” in the region, is particularly alarming.

The researcher Meagan Dawar points out that most seal species in Antarctica are already infected. The species affected include antarctic seaside bears, sea elephants, weddel seals and souls. According to the first analyzes, the pathogen was introduced into the region via Aasvögel from South America, which shows the spread of the virus.

negative effects on the animal world

The southern sea elephants are particularly affected. French researchers reported alarming mortality rates of this kind. While penguins unexpectedly fewer dead animals were found than initially assumed, this could be due to the fact that penguins act as asymptomatic carriers. In many cases, the virus attacks the animals of the animals and causes neurological symptoms, shortness of breath and eye inflammation.

The virus examinations are carried out at the WHO cooperation center for influenza in Melbourne, where hundreds of samples from skuas, penguins and seals are analyzed. The first results show that the virus not only appears in the known locations, but also new cases were documented in distant regions. The bird flu has now reached subantarctic island groups such as Crozet and Kerguelen, removed more than 7000 kilometers from the first outbreaks on the South Georgia Islands.

danger to Australia and possible pandemic risks

A special risk is that migratory birds could bring the virus from H5N1 hotspots to Australia. The concern for the endemic animal species of Australia, such as Koalas and kangaroos, grows. The virus already has global catastrophic effects on wild animals, with a third of all bass oils die. The likelihood that the virus will be introduced to Australia is assessed as high.

protective measures are particularly necessary for humans. So far, 112 human infections with H5N1 have been documented worldwide since 2020, with most of them in the USA. The World Health Organization (WHO) currently classifies the risk of the population as low, but warns of the possibility that the virus could adapt to mammals and people. A pandemic threat from mutations of the virus remains a serious scenario.

H5N1 is a enveloped single-strand RNA virus from the family of orthomyxoviridae and is primarily worn in nature by wild birds. It can be transferred to mammals and causes serious illnesses and high mortality rates. The transmission is mainly via fecal -based material and direct contact with infected animals. At the moment there is no prophylactic vaccination for people, but prototype vaccines are being developed. The risks are therefore important not only for animals, but also for humans. More information about this virus can be found on the Wikipedia page to the bird flu H5N1 .