A statement from the World Organisation for Animal Health in March 2024 describes the “unprecedented milestone” reached by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), which is confirmed to have “traversed continents” to Antarctica’s mainland.
“The gravity of the situation intensifies as it infiltrates the northern tip of Antarctica’s mainland.”
This incidence was earlier reported by Argentinean scientists at the Primavera base and has been recorded on the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS). A South Polar skua, a large seabird that breeds in sub-Antarctic and Antarctic zones, was found dead and tested positive. This is concerning as skuas are a potential vector as they migrate further north when not breeding.
A “new normal”
WOAH comments that while HPAI was previously considered “primarily a threat to poultry” it has “ushered in a ‘new normal’” as it now moves from wild birds to wild mammals with consequences “beyond anything previously seen”. WOAH’s most recent estimates suggest that 485 species from over 25 avian orders have been affected and 37 new mammal species infected since 2021. The Pacific Islands, Australia, and New Zealand are the only regions that WOAH considers “free of the disease”, recognising that the “situation is changing rapidly”.
Protection and prevention
Although HPAI outbreaks have resulted in “marked declines” in wildlife populations, WOAH identifies strategies for both long- and short-term protection of wildlife. For example, improved biosecurity, improved surveillance systems, and coordinated, interagency-multisecotral approaches can prevent spillover events and contain them when they do occur. WOAH recommends its own guidelines on the emergency vaccination of wild birds of high conservation importance against HPAI and the management of HPAI in marine mammals.
“The loss of wildlife at the current scale presents an unprecedented risk of wildlife population collapse, creating an ecological crisis.”
WOAH “encourages” Members to “quickly and thoroughly respond to outbreaks” and emphasises the importance of incorporating wildlife health into animal health surveillance, reporting, preparedness, and response systems.
“These efforts require not merely viewing wildlife as a potential risk to production animal and human health, but as beings warranting protection in their own right.”
Within the veterinary vaccines and One Health track at the Congress in Washington we look forward to hearing from Dr Daniel Peréz on the challenges and opportunities associated with mass vaccination against avian influenza. Get your tickets here to participate in these discussions, and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletters for more insights.
