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Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/b...the-first-time
Press release
Bird flu found in mammals in the sub-Antarctic for the first time
Results confirm High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been found in elephant and fur seals on the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia.
From: Animal and Plant Health Agency
Published
11 January 2024
The presence of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) has today (Thursday 11 January) been confirmed for the first time in mammals in the sub-Antarctic. The disease was detected in elephant and fur seals on the island of South Georgia by experts from the UK’s world-leading Animal Plant Health Agency (APHA).
Working alongside the Government of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) and the British Antarctic survey (BAS), APHA has been at the forefront of testing for bird flu in mammals in this sub-Antarctic region since it was first suspected last year.
South Georgia is a UK Overseas Territory situated in the Southern Atlantic Ocean, approximately 1,000km south-east of the Falkland Islands, and is accessible only by ship. It has some of the most closely monitored seabird colonies in the world, equipping scientists and conservationists with indicators of change for species.
HPAI was first suspected on Bird Island off the northwest coast of South Georgia in October 2023 after the deaths of several brown skua. Sequence analysis from infected birds demonstrates that the virus has most likely been introduced through migratory bird movement from South America.
Leading APHA scientist Dr Marco Falchieri of the Influenza and Avian Virology team spent three weeks in the sub Antarctic region visiting the affected islands onboard Royal Navy vessel HMS Forth and collected samples from dead mammals, including elephant seals, and birds.
Following testing and sequencing at APHA’s laboratory in Weybridge, the samples have tested positive for HPAI H5N1 in elephant seals, fur seals, brown skuas, kelp gulls and Antarctic terns.
Samples were also collected from albatross and giant petrel colonies on Bird Island but tested negative. There have been no reports of above average mortality in any penguin species to date.
The available genomic surveillance data continues to suggest no widespread mammalian adaptation of the virus. There remains no increased risk to human health - the risk of human infection with H5N1 remains very low....
Press release
Bird flu found in mammals in the sub-Antarctic for the first time
Results confirm High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been found in elephant and fur seals on the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia.
From: Animal and Plant Health Agency
Published
11 January 2024
The presence of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) has today (Thursday 11 January) been confirmed for the first time in mammals in the sub-Antarctic. The disease was detected in elephant and fur seals on the island of South Georgia by experts from the UK’s world-leading Animal Plant Health Agency (APHA).
Working alongside the Government of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) and the British Antarctic survey (BAS), APHA has been at the forefront of testing for bird flu in mammals in this sub-Antarctic region since it was first suspected last year.
South Georgia is a UK Overseas Territory situated in the Southern Atlantic Ocean, approximately 1,000km south-east of the Falkland Islands, and is accessible only by ship. It has some of the most closely monitored seabird colonies in the world, equipping scientists and conservationists with indicators of change for species.
HPAI was first suspected on Bird Island off the northwest coast of South Georgia in October 2023 after the deaths of several brown skua. Sequence analysis from infected birds demonstrates that the virus has most likely been introduced through migratory bird movement from South America.
Leading APHA scientist Dr Marco Falchieri of the Influenza and Avian Virology team spent three weeks in the sub Antarctic region visiting the affected islands onboard Royal Navy vessel HMS Forth and collected samples from dead mammals, including elephant seals, and birds.
Following testing and sequencing at APHA’s laboratory in Weybridge, the samples have tested positive for HPAI H5N1 in elephant seals, fur seals, brown skuas, kelp gulls and Antarctic terns.
Samples were also collected from albatross and giant petrel colonies on Bird Island but tested negative. There have been no reports of above average mortality in any penguin species to date.
The available genomic surveillance data continues to suggest no widespread mammalian adaptation of the virus. There remains no increased risk to human health - the risk of human infection with H5N1 remains very low....
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