Australia scans the frozen continent for early signs of deadly disease

May Be Interested In:Best of cartoons, February 17, 2025


“We are being incredibly cautious that when people go between areas, even around each of our stations, they’re going to be disinfecting their boots and their equipment,” she said. “We’re encouraging people not to put things on the ground unnecessarily.”

Expeditioners to Australian Antarctic bases are monitoring and preparing for an outbreak of H5N1 strain of bird flu.Credit: Madi McLatchie/Australian Antarctic Division.

Emperor penguins and giant petrels are expected to be particularly vulnerable to the disease. There are dozens of bird species in the H5N1 firing line, as well as eight penguin species and six seal species.

Emmerson said wildlife teemed around the bases.

“We often have the penguins later in the season coming quite close to the station buildings to moult,” she said.

“Early in summer … people can walk over to have a look at the penguin colonies. There’s also skuas nearby. They breed and forage near the penguins because they actually eat them.

South American seals that prey on penguins have become infected with bird flu after eating birds carrying the virus.

South American seals that prey on penguins have become infected with bird flu after eating birds carrying the virus.Credit: Barry Becker/Australian Antarctic Division.

“There are snow, cape and Antarctic petrels flying all around and Wilson storm petrels under rocks around the stations.”

If the virus breaks out among this wildlife, it could create an infection pathway from Antarctica to Australia.

“We’ve got really well-trained people who know what is normal [animal] behaviour and know what the normal number of dead animals might look like because in all of these colonies, of course, there’s going to be some dead animals,” she said.

Australian governments have a $100 million plan underway to protect Australian wildlife from H5N1, which will include vaccinating wild populations of endangered animals against an inevitable outbreak of deadly bird flu, breeding captive “insurance” populations of threatened species, and picking up carcasses to limit the spread of the disease.

Loading

Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said H5N1 is an ongoing risk and Antarctica was a core part of the government’s preparations for an outbreak.

“That’s why we’ve had Australian scientists down in Antarctica this summer, monitoring for signs of the virus in seabirds and seals near Mawson and Davis research stations, and near Cape Denison in the eastern sector of the Australian Antarctic Territory,” Plibersek said.

“Management protocols are in place at Australia’s Antarctic and sub-Antarctic stations to keep expeditions safe and reduce the risk of humans spreading the disease.”

share Share facebook pinterest whatsapp x print

Similar Content

Djokovic leaves leg injury a mystery as he closes in on an 11th Australian Open title
Djokovic leaves leg injury a mystery as he closes in on an 11th Australian Open title
'SNL' Weekend Update on Trump headlines and the Supreme Court's Broadway era
‘SNL’ Weekend Update on Trump headlines and the Supreme Court’s Broadway era
Great Nicobar Project: India's Hong Kong-like port may wipe out ancient tribe
Great Nicobar Project: India’s Hong Kong-like port may wipe out ancient tribe
What's next for the Sonic films after Sonic the Hedgehog 3's post-credits scene?
What’s next for the Sonic films after Sonic the Hedgehog 3’s post-credits scene?
'Unauthorised' puberty blockers allegedly prescribed to children in Queensland
‘Unauthorised’ puberty blockers allegedly prescribed to children in Queensland
Former Nesco ind director pays  <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>21.45 lakh to settle disclosure violation case with Sebi
Russian Gas Flows Via Ukraine to Europe Stop as Deal Expires
Fast Facts: Stay One Step Ahead | © 2025 | Daily News