Antarctica, Avian virus in penguins sought by Italian mission

In autumn 2023, the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe) initiated an expedition to the South Pole with the objective of verifying the presence of the H5N1 virus among penguin populations. Migratory wild bird species act as vectors for disseminating the avian influenza virus to colonies of brown skuas, a seabird species closely related to large gulls, in Antarctica. This occurrence was initially detected on Bird Island, South Georgia. In 2022, avian influenza reached the southernmost coasts of South America, causing mass mortality episodes in numerous bird species and decimating entire colonies of lions and elephant seals. In February 2024, the virus was identified in proximity to the Argentine research station Primavera Base, potentially endangering the well-being of scientific and logistical personnel engaged in operations at the Antarctic stations. This observation was highlighted by Francesco Bonfante, a veterinary virologist from the IZSVe who participated in the South Pole expedition. The researchers based themselves at the Italian ‘Mario Zucchelli’ station and, every two days, accompanied by a mountain guide, reached the colonies of Adélie penguins and emperor penguins by helicopter. The researchers collected and tested samples from more than 250 animals belonging to five different colonies. No traces of the H5N1 virus were found in the penguin colonies sampled.