Context: Recently HPAI was detected in brown skua (a predatory seabird) populations on Bird Island, South Georgia, making it the first known case in the Antarctic region; raising concerns for remote populations of penguins and seals.

Avian Influenza

• Avian influenza is a highly contagious viral disease that affects both domestic and wild birds.

• Migratory wild birds, especially waterfowls, are the natural host and reservoir of avian influenza viruses.

• The subtypes of the avian influenza includes H5N1, H5N3, H5N8 and few others whose genetic characteristics rapidly evolve.

The strains of avian influenza viruses are generally be classified into 2 categories:

• Low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) that causes little or no clinical signs.

• High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) that can cause severe clinical signs and possible high mortality rates.

Key Findings

• The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) confirmed the presence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).

• It has been detected in brown skua (a predatory seabird) populations on Bird Island, South Georgia (The island is claimed by both Britain and Argentina).

• Consequences: HPAI may lead to a decline in the breeding populations of vulnerable fragile wildlife residing in the region.

Highly pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)

• The viral disease HPIA or avian influenza, especially the H5 and H7 strains, mostly affects birds.

• These strains are highly pathogenic and have been reported in domestic poultry, resulting in high mortality if they manage to reach wild bird populations.

• It spreads among birds and mammals due to predators and scavengers feeding on infected birds. Marine mammals have also been found to be infected.

• Earlier, HPAI H5N1 spread rapidly in South America and the southern end of the continent to Tierra del Fuego and led to mass scale death of South American Sea lions. Falkland Islands are at most risk.

Threatened species from HPAI

• Avian groups like gulls and skuas, birds of prey such as hawks and caracaras, terns and shorebirds.

• Among marine mammals, fur seals, sea lions, southern elephant seals and dolphins.