Mass Die-Off of Sea Elephants from Avian Influenza Recorded in Antarctica 0 137

The virus was first detected in a population of skuas on Bird Island in the South Georgia archipelago in October 2023. Since then, scientists have reported mass die-offs of sea elephants, as well as increased mortality among seals, seagulls, and skuas in various locations, including areas located 1,500 km west of the initial outbreak.

So far, studies have confirmed cases of death from HPAI in eight locations across Antarctica, and test results from another 20 sites are pending. According to specialists, some sea elephants exhibited symptoms of avian influenza, such as difficulty breathing, coughing, and nasal discharge. Birds are showing symptoms including lethargy, seizures, and inability to fly.

No cases of the disease have been registered on the mainland of Antarctica yet. However, experts fear that the disease may manifest in the coming months with the migration of migratory birds. The local population of penguins, which are susceptible to HPAI, is of particular concern to scientists. As the breeding season begins, penguins start to gather in groups, being in close contact with each other, which makes them especially vulnerable to infection. “If the virus really starts to cause mass die-offs of penguins, it will mark the beginning of one of the largest ecological disasters of modern times,” The Guardian quotes researchers from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). They also emphasize that many species inhabiting Antarctica are not found anywhere else, making it difficult to assess the scale of damage from a major outbreak of avian influenza.

According to the publication, the strain of the A/H5N1 virus spreading in Antarctica belongs to the clade 2.3.4.4.b. This variant of the virus has already killed millions of birds in the UK, Europe, South Africa, and the Americas. Currently, BAS staff are gathering information on possible cases of animal deaths due to HPAI. However, they note that it is impossible to record all cases due to the vast size of the region and the lack of specialists working there. It has been reported that many places in South Georgia are now closed to tourists, and even researchers have to go through a series of procedures to gain access to them.