CSIC confirms presence of bird flu in Antarctica

Scientists from the Center for Molecular Biology of Severo Ochoa of the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) confirmed presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, for the first time in Antarctica.

The presence of the virus, confirmed on February 24, was found in samples of dead skuas (skuas) that were discovered by Argentine scientists near the Antarctic Primavera base.

Analysiswhich consisted of specific PCR for influenza virus and H5 subtype, convincingly demonstrated that the birds were infected with the H5 subtype of avian influenza and at least one of dead birds contained the virus highly pathogenic.

Avoid human infections

They note that this discovery will allow national polar programs be prepared to avoid human transmissionand above all, prevent people from becoming infectednoted by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.

Moreover, this demonstrates for the first time that The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus has reached Antarctica, despite distance and natural barriers. which separate it from other continents. This discovery may also explain bird deaths recorded during the Antarctic summer.

The variant has been found in many places in the northern hemisphere and, since last summer, in the southern hemisphere, but before datealthough significant mortality of some birds has been recorded in Antarctica, No country has demonstrated the presence of this virus in Antarctica.