Avian Influenza: A Potential Threat to Antarctica’s Wildlife

Antarctica, often imagined as the last untouched wilderness, is facing a potential threat from avian influenza, also known as bird flu. The virus has already reached the sub-Antarctic islands between the Antarctic Peninsula and South America and is expected to reach the Antarctic continent soon. This poses a significant risk to the wildlife in the region, which could face catastrophic consequences if the virus spreads.

Avian influenza has already caused mass deaths of seabirds around the world, including a 70% reduction in northern gannets on Bass Rock in the United Kingdom. The virus has also been linked to the deaths of over 30,000 South American sea lions and over 2,500 southern elephant seal pups in South America.

The arrival of avian influenza in Antarctica could disrupt tourism and research activities during the busy summer season. To address this challenge, the Antarctic Wildlife Health Network of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research has developed recommendations for the research and tourism communities. These recommendations include biosecurity measures, testing, and reporting of cases to help monitor and control the spread of the virus.

Several species in the Antarctic Peninsula, such as Emperor penguins, live in dense colonies and are not found elsewhere in the world. This makes them particularly vulnerable to disease outbreaks. Outbreaks on the Antarctic Peninsula would also be highly disruptive to the tourism industry, which saw over 104,000 visitors during the 2022-23 season.

To mitigate the impact of avian influenza, researchers are conducting surveys across the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions to monitor the presence and impact of the virus on wildlife. Safety and biosecurity measures have also been enhanced across the scientific community and tourism industry to reduce the risk of people spreading the virus.

The spread of avian influenza in Antarctica highlights the connectivity of our world and the importance of caring for the planet at home to protect the far south. Disease surveillance and information sharing between all those active in the far south are vital to help minimize the impacts of avian influenza and future disease threats.