Antarctic wildlife: Risk of Avian Influenza

Wednesday, September 13th, 2023

By European Polar Board

A risk assessment by SCAR Antarctic Wildlife Health Network (AWHN) predicts that Influenza virus H5N1 will hit the sub-Antarctic and Antarctic Peninsula this season with devastating impacts on seabird and pinniped colonies throughout the region.

Media release: https://scar.org/scar-news/eg-bamm-news/awhn-news/avian-flu/ AWHN Paper: https://scar.org/.../5973-risk-assessment-avian.../file/

The AWHN has provided extensive guidelines and recommendations for enhanced biosecurity, surveillance and monitoring for the scientific and tourism community. For further information or media enquiries in relation to the risk assessment please contact Dr Meagan Dewar, Chair of the Antarctic Wildlife Health Network m.dewar@federation.edu.au

For enquiries from the SCAR, COMNAP or IAATO Secretariats or the CEP please contact:

• SCAR Secretary- chandrika@scar.org

• COMNAP - sec@comnap.aq

• CEP – pvo@mrecic.gov.ar

• IAATO - iaato@iaato.org

Link: https://scar.org/scar-news/eg-bamm-news/awhn-news/avian-flu/