Chilean scientist warns about the spread of avian flu in Antarctica

Avian influenza, a highly lethal virus, is spreading in Antarctica and increasingly threatening the continent's native wildlife, Chilean scientist Víctor Neira told reporters on Tuesday.

In April 2024, Neira and his team detected the presence of the H5N1 virus in Antarctica after discovering five infected skuas, small birds also known as jaeger skuas. Since then, the virus has spread to other native Antarctic species, and cases have been detected along the 900 km of the continent's western coast that scientists have studied.

Following the latest expedition during the austral summer, cases were confirmed in a dozen species in the area. Although the species infected so far are listed as being of "least concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, Neira warned that “If the virus continues to strengthen, "any species, if severely affected by the virus, could become endangered.