bioRxivMicrobiologyPreprint
The expanding avian influenza panzootic: skua die-off in Antarctica
Matteo IervolinoiD, Anne GüntheriD, Lineke BegemaniD, Begoña AguadoiD, Theo M. Bestebroer, Beatriz Bellido Martin, Adam Coerper, María Valentina Fornillo, Bruno FusaroiD, Andrés Esteban IbañeziD, Lonneke M. E. Leijten, Simeon LisovskiiD, Mariané B. Mañez, Alice Reade, Peter van RuniD, Florencia Soto, Ben Wallis, Meagan DewariD, Antonio Alcamı́iD, Martin BeeriD, Ralph Eric Thijl VanstreelsiD, Thijs KuikeniD
Abstract
High pathogenicity avian influenza virus of subtype H5 (H5 HPAIV), clade 2.3.4.4b, invaded Antarctica in 2023. Here we show that H5 HPAIV caused high mortality in a breeding colony of skuas at one of ten sites we visited in March 2024. By combined virological and pathological analyses, we found that H5 HPAIV caused multi-organ necrosis and rapid death in skuas. Taken together with recent data, skuas in Antarctica are at risk of continued mortality from H5 HPAIV infection, threatening their already small populations. Conversely, because of their wide distribution and ecological relevance, skuas may play a substantial role in spread of the virus across Antarctica. Transdisciplinary surveillance is needed in coming years to monitor the impact of this poultry-origin disease on Antarcticas unique wildlife.
- organism: multiple species
- research focus: host-pathogen & immune response
- approach: experimental assay
- Citations
- 3
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