Argentine scientists have found the existence of the deadly bird flu virus in samples of dead skua seabirds near the Antarctic Base Primavera. The presence of a deadly virus on the mainland of Antarctica has been reported for the first time, which might be a huge cause of concern and pose a significant risk for the penguin colonies in the southern region. Experts involved in Spain’s Higher Council for Scientific Investigation (CSIC) say that the discovery shows for the first time that the extremely pathogenic Avian Influenza virus has started spreading across Antarctica despite the distance and natural obstacles that isolate it from other continents.
The confirmed incident on the Antarctic peninsula has surfaced after cases on islands nearby such as among Gentoo penguins, emphasizes the risk of the H5N1 avian flu to colonies in the area that has destroyed bird populations around the world in the past months. The new study has decisively found that the birds in the region have been infected with the H5 subtype of avian influenza and at least one of the deceased birds has been found to have the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus.
Argentina’s Antarctic Institute has recently stated that the South American nation has been working tirelessly with Spanish scientists to examine samples from dead birds that were found earlier in the year near the Argentine base and reported the presence of the virus. Many health experts around the world say that thousands of penguins come together in closely packed colonies on the Antarctic continent and close by islands, which can easily trigger the lethal virus to spread rapidly. As per the latest report, the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research has also shown a recently confirmed bird flu incident at the research base. Health authorities are trying their best to contain the spread of the deadly disease.
