Deadly avian flu strikes in the most unexpected region possible! How can Aussies prepare?
- Replies 0
Australia has seen the rise of avian influenza over the past months.
However, it has reached an unexpected destination, which should raise urgency among animal and health experts across the country.
Recent reports have raised concerns that the H5N1 avian influenza could be on a collision course with Australian shores.
French scientists declared that the H5N1 virus has travelled over 5,000 kilometres and has reached the Crozet and Kerguelen Islands in the sub-antarctic region.
These islands and Australia's Heard and McDonald Islands are just 440 km away.
This distressing alert became a stark reminder of how interconnected places are, even in its most remote corners.
The H5N1 strain has been notorious for infecting multiple bird and mammal species, including humans.
The strain has been sweeping the globe and has started closing in on the southern parts of Australia.
Outbreaks were first detected on Possession Island in the Crozet archipelago on 17 October.
The strain was later detected on Kerguelen Island last 11 November.
However, the origin of the virus's arrival in the French Southern and Antarctic Territories is still a mystery.
South Africa, the closest country with the virus at about 2,400 km away, was initially considered a potential source.
However, a study published on the biology pre-prints website BioRxiv suggested that the virus was carried from South Georgia Island to the coast of South America.
Thierry Boulinier from France's Centre for Functional and Evolutionary Ecology shared that seabirds are likely the culprits for transmission.
However, he also ruled out that other wild animals, such as southern elephant seals, could also be carriers.
Genetic analysis indicated that the virus arrived at the two sub-antarctic islands from South Georgia in separate instances.
The ability of the virus to travel such long distances over the ocean immediately became a cause of concern among ecologists and zoologists.
CSIRO molecular microbiologist Frank Wong found it 'pretty incredible' and emphasised the need for increased surveillance in these remote areas.
The H5N1 strain first emerged in 1996 in Asia and has since appeared in other parts of the world.
A new clade of the virus, known as H5N1 2.3.4.4b, emerged in 2020 and has continued to circulate among wild birds around the globe.
Australia, the only continent free of H5N1, has been on high alert for its potential arrival.
Australian scientists have outlined three potential scenarios for H5N1 infiltrating the country.
The annual mass migration of shorebirds from Asia and Europe to Australia could be a factor in the spread.
Another possibility could be the spread between duck species that live in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Australia.
A third, previously unlikely scenario, included potential spread from seabirds if the virus took over Antarctica.
As bird flu arrived in the west of Antarctica early last year, the eastern side closest to Australia continues to stay vigilant.
University of Melbourne microbiologist Michelle Wille suggested that the Antarctic or sub-antarctic route needs to be considered as a potential pathway for the virus to enter the country.
The latest surveillance season for incoming migratory birds in Australia did not detect H5N1 in any of the 948 tested specimens.
While reassuring, experts still believed that it's not a matter of if but when the virus arrives.
The Australian government already invested over $100 million to strengthen preparedness, surveillance, and response capabilities to the virus.
Collaboration with Indigenous ranger groups in northern Australia is also underway to conduct surveillance and raise awareness of the H5N1 Avian Influenza.
The spread of the H5N1 virus is a stark reminder of the delicate balance of our ecosystem and the importance of global cooperation in monitoring and preventing the spread of infectious diseases. Let us know your thoughts about this threat in the comments section below.
However, it has reached an unexpected destination, which should raise urgency among animal and health experts across the country.
Recent reports have raised concerns that the H5N1 avian influenza could be on a collision course with Australian shores.
French scientists declared that the H5N1 virus has travelled over 5,000 kilometres and has reached the Crozet and Kerguelen Islands in the sub-antarctic region.
These islands and Australia's Heard and McDonald Islands are just 440 km away.
Sick migratory birds may carry strains of the deadly avian virus. Image Credit: Pexels/Saleh Bakhshiyev
This distressing alert became a stark reminder of how interconnected places are, even in its most remote corners.
The H5N1 strain has been notorious for infecting multiple bird and mammal species, including humans.
The strain has been sweeping the globe and has started closing in on the southern parts of Australia.
Outbreaks were first detected on Possession Island in the Crozet archipelago on 17 October.
The strain was later detected on Kerguelen Island last 11 November.
However, the origin of the virus's arrival in the French Southern and Antarctic Territories is still a mystery.
South Africa, the closest country with the virus at about 2,400 km away, was initially considered a potential source.
However, a study published on the biology pre-prints website BioRxiv suggested that the virus was carried from South Georgia Island to the coast of South America.
Thierry Boulinier from France's Centre for Functional and Evolutionary Ecology shared that seabirds are likely the culprits for transmission.
However, he also ruled out that other wild animals, such as southern elephant seals, could also be carriers.
Genetic analysis indicated that the virus arrived at the two sub-antarctic islands from South Georgia in separate instances.
The ability of the virus to travel such long distances over the ocean immediately became a cause of concern among ecologists and zoologists.
CSIRO molecular microbiologist Frank Wong found it 'pretty incredible' and emphasised the need for increased surveillance in these remote areas.
The H5N1 strain first emerged in 1996 in Asia and has since appeared in other parts of the world.
A new clade of the virus, known as H5N1 2.3.4.4b, emerged in 2020 and has continued to circulate among wild birds around the globe.
Australia, the only continent free of H5N1, has been on high alert for its potential arrival.
Australian scientists have outlined three potential scenarios for H5N1 infiltrating the country.
The annual mass migration of shorebirds from Asia and Europe to Australia could be a factor in the spread.
Another possibility could be the spread between duck species that live in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Australia.
A third, previously unlikely scenario, included potential spread from seabirds if the virus took over Antarctica.
As bird flu arrived in the west of Antarctica early last year, the eastern side closest to Australia continues to stay vigilant.
University of Melbourne microbiologist Michelle Wille suggested that the Antarctic or sub-antarctic route needs to be considered as a potential pathway for the virus to enter the country.
The latest surveillance season for incoming migratory birds in Australia did not detect H5N1 in any of the 948 tested specimens.
While reassuring, experts still believed that it's not a matter of if but when the virus arrives.
The Australian government already invested over $100 million to strengthen preparedness, surveillance, and response capabilities to the virus.
Collaboration with Indigenous ranger groups in northern Australia is also underway to conduct surveillance and raise awareness of the H5N1 Avian Influenza.
