A recent outbreak of bird flu on the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia, a UK overseas territory, has raised concerns among scientists about the spread of the virus to mammals, including elephant seals and fur seals. The bird flu strain, first detected in brown skua birds on Bird Island by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) staff in October, has been linked to mass deaths in these mammal populations, marking a significant development in the region.
Researchers from the UK's Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and BAS have conducted extensive fieldwork, collecting samples from various dead animals, including elephant seals, fur seals, brown skuas, kelp gulls, and Antarctic terns. Testing of these samples revealed positive results for bird flu, indicating the spread of the virus among different species.
Approximately 100 deaths have been reported on the island due to the bird flu outbreak. Marco Falchieri, a scientist from the APHA, expressed concerns about a potential adaptive mutation to mammals, which could increase the risk to human populations. However, no such mutation has been observed in the recent samples.
The Americas have experienced severe bird flu outbreaks since 2021, resulting in the deaths of millions of wild birds and affecting species like bald eagles, foxes, and kittiwakes. The spread of the virus among penguin colonies could lead to significant ecological disasters, according to scientists.
In response to the outbreak, BAS has suspended all fieldwork involving human-animal contact in South Georgia. The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators has advised boats to avoid specific landing locations on the island to prevent further spread.
This bird flu outbreak has extended beyond avian species, with the recent confirmation of a polar bear in Alaska dying from the H5N1 virus. This case represents the first known death of a polar bear due to bird flu and highlights the expanding reach of the virus.
Researchers suspect that migratory birds returning from South America, where significant bird flu deaths have occurred, likely brought the virus to the region.
Bird flu, or Avian Flu, primarily affects birds but can infect humans in rare cases, typically through close contact with infected birds. The most common strain is the H5N1 virus, with symptoms similar to common flu but potentially leading to severe respiratory diseases. The H5N1 virus first infected humans in 1997 in Hong Kong and has since spread across Asia, Europe, and Africa. While it poses a serious health concern, the risk to humans remains low.
The current bird flu outbreak in South Georgia underscores the importance of monitoring and responding to wildlife diseases, especially as they cross species barriers and potentially impact human health.
