For the First Time, Bird Flu Found in Seals in the Southern Atlantic

The first-ever detection of bird flu in both fur and elephant seal populations has been confirmed on South Georgia Island in the sub-Antarctic region. This discovery, reported by UK scientists and Reuters, comes after initial suspicions of avian influenza arose following the death of several brown skua seabirds on Bird Island, part of the British Overseas Territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, in October last year.

Subsequently, in December, a significant number of elephant seals were found deceased. Last month, a team from the UK’s Animal and Plant Health and Agency (APHA) and the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) conducted a three-week investigation on the affected islands. They collected samples from the deceased animals and birds, which tested positive for the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 strain in elephant seals, fur seals, brown skuas, kelp gulls, and Antarctic terns. APHA’s Director of Scientific Services, Ian Brown, expressed concern and sadness over the spread of the disease to mammals in Antarctica, a region known for its unique biodiversity.

The impact of H5N1 on wildlife in Antarctica could be catastrophic. A report by OFFLU, an OIE-FAO global network specializing in animal influenzas, indicated that the virus could potentially infect 48 bird species and 26 marine mammal species. OFFLU noted the particular risk in Antarctica, where dense colonies of seals and hundreds of thousands of birds could facilitate rapid transmission of the virus among individuals.

University of Leeds ecologist Alastair Ward pointed out that seals, often scavengers, might contract the virus from eating infected bird carcasses.

This news comes amidst global concerns about H5N1 spreading to endangered wildlife populations. Recently, Alaskan officials confirmed the first known case of a polar bear dying from H5N1. University of Alberta polar bear biologist Andrew Derocher told Reuters that polar bears, not selective about their food, are likely to consume birds weakened or killed by avian flu. He highlighted the potential interplay between climate change, avian influenza, bird mortality, and polar bears.