High Mortality Among Antarctic Skuas
A recent study published in Scientific Reports provides the first unequivocal diagnosis of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 as a major cause of mortality in Antarctic wildlife. While the virus's presence in the region had been suspected, the HPAI Australis Expedition in March 2024 confirmed that the panzootic has firmly reached the frozen continent, with devastating effects on specific bird populations.
The research team, led by Matteo Iervolino and Thijs Kuiken, identified a significant die-off at Beak Island, where H5N1 was confirmed as the probable cause of death for a breeding colony of skuas. At Beak Island alone, 46 dead skuas were found, with pathological analysis confirming HPAI as the cause of death in sampled individuals. Skuas occupy a unique ecological niche in Antarctica that makes them particularly vulnerable and dangerous in the context of a viral outbreak. With global populations of only 5,000 to 8,000 breeding pairs, sustained mortality could lead to significant population declines. Due to their wide distribution and scavenging habits, including intra-species scavenging, skuas may act as vectors, spreading the virus across the continent.
