Detection and spread of high pathogenicity avian influenza virus H5N1 in the Antarctic Region

Banyard, Ashley C.; Bennison, Ashley; Byrne, Alexander M. P.; Reid, Scott M.; Lynton‐Jenkins, Joshua G.; Mollett, Benjamin C.; Silva, Dilhani De; Peers-Dent, Jacob; Finlayson, Kim; Hall, Rosamund; Blockley, Freya; Blyth, Marcia; Falchieri, Marco; Fowler, Zoe; Fitzcharles, Elaine M.; Brown, Ian H.; James, Joe

doi:10.1038/s41467-024-51490-8

articleNature CommunicationsSep 3, 2024GOLD OA

Detection and spread of high pathogenicity avian influenza virus H5N1 in the Antarctic Region

ACAshley C. Banyard ABAshley Bennison AMAlexander M. P. Byrne SMScott M. Reid JGJoshua G. Lynton‐Jenkins

Animal and Plant Health Agency · British Antarctic Survey · +2 more institutions

PubMed

Indexed incrossrefdoajpubmed

Abstract

Until recent events, the Antarctic was the only major geographical region in which high pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) had never previously been detected. Here we report on the detection of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 HPAIV in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions of South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, respectively. We initially detected H5N1 HPAIV in samples collected from brown skuas at Bird Island, South Georgia on 8th October 2023. Since this detection, mortalities were observed in several avian and mammalian species at multiple sites across South Georgia. Subsequent testing confirmed H5N1 HPAIV across several sampling locations in multiple avian species and two seal species. Simultaneously, we…

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Topics & keywords

Topics

Keywords

Influenza A virus subtype H5N1
Biology
Clade
Albatross
Avian influenza virus
Zoology
Pathogenicity
Influenza A virus

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Life below water

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