Scientists are sounding the alarm over the spread of bird flu across Antarctica, with a leading Chilean researcher telling AFP Tuesday of an observed strain “capable of killing 100 percent” of infected fauna.<\/p>\n
Researchers have been warning in recent years of bird flu’s spread on the icy continent, which hosts temporary teams of scientists but no permanent residents.<\/p>\n
But a particularly dangerous strain of the disease was detected in April 2024 by Chilean researcher Victor Neira and his team in five skuas, a type of polar seabird.<\/p>\n
Since then, the virus has spread to other species, with cases detected along 900 kilometers (560 miles) of coastline studied by scientists.<\/p>\n
In a recent expedition to Antarctica, new cases were discovered in Antarctic cormorants, kelp gulls, Adelie and gentoo penguins, and Antarctic fur seals, Neira told AFP.<\/p>\n
“The virus has completely spread throughout the Antarctic region where we have the capacity to go and study,” said Neira, a scientist at the University of Chile and the Chilean Antarctic Institute (INACH).<\/p>\n
“This disease is capable of killing 100 percent of the birds in short periods of time,” he said.<\/p>\n
“For example, in one or two days it can kill 90 percent or 100 percent of the animals in a given area.”<\/p>\n
Antarctic species are often small in total population, underscoring the risk of outbreaks.<\/p>\n
Animals such as Antarctic cormorants and skuas number around 20,000 in total.<\/p>\n
A global wave of bird flu has affected birds and mammals around the world since 2021, spread via bird migration.<\/p>\n
In 2023, it killed thousands of Humboldt penguins in Chile.<\/p>\n
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