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hundreds of seal pups have been found dead Heard Island In the sub-Antarctic, Australian scientists are investigating whether devastating bird flu The one who has destroyed the world is responsible.
poisonous H5N1 strain Since 2021, there have been millions of deaths among wild birds and mammals, poultry and dairy farms have also been affected and some farmworkers have been infected.
Although “not confirmed” at this stage, Australia’s Department of Agriculture is sending samples of the dead seals for immediate testing.
The ministry said symptoms consistent with H5 bird flu on Heard Island were “not unexpected”, as the virus has already been found on the nearby French Kerguelen and Crozet islands.
Outside the migration routes of large birds such as geese that spread infection, Australia It is the only continent free of the highly contagious virus. But further spread through Antarctica could ultimately increase the risk of infection from the south.
Heard Island will be the most distant island reached in the Antarctic since its arrival from South America in 2023.
Formed by a 2,745-metre (9,006-foot) volcano that rises above the ocean more than 4,000 km (2,486 mi) south-west of Perth and 1,700 km (1,060 mi) north of Antarctica, it is a breeding ground for large populations of penguins, seals and sea birds.
Scientists from Australia’s Antarctic Division, who spent 10 days there, found healthy animals until the end of their trip, when they encountered hundreds of dead elephant seal pups, said Julie McInnes, one of the ecologists there.
“It was a significant proportion of pups in that part (of the beach),” said McInnes, who was on the trip.
It’s not clear whether the virus will spread to other areas or species on the island, he said, and researchers will visit again at the end of the year.
The Agriculture Ministry said the confirmation of bird flu would not greatly increase the risk of its spread in Australia.
Australia is preparing for this Arrival of H5N1 bird fluTightening biosecurity on farms, testing shorebirds for disease, vaccinating vulnerable species and war-gaming response plans.