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Muñoz G, Mendieta V, Ulloa M, Agüero B, Torres CG, Kruger L, Neira V. Lack of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 in the South Shetland Islands in Antarctica, Early 2023. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1008. [PMID: 38612247 PMCID: PMC11011164 DOI: 10.3390/ani14071008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
In January 2023, an active surveillance initiative was undertaken in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, with the specific objective of ascertaining evidence for the presence of avian influenza, and specifically the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype H5N1 (HPAIV H5N1). The investigation encompassed diverse locations, including Hanna Point (Livingston Island), Lions Rump (King George Island), and Base Escudero (King George Island), with targeted observations on marine mammals (southern elephant seals), flying birds (the kelp gull, snowy sheathbill and brown skua), and penguins (the chinstrap penguin and gentoo penguin). The study encompassed the examination of these sites for signs of mass mortality events possibly attributable to HPAIV H5N1, as well as sampling for influenza detection by means of real-time RT-PCR. Two hundred and seven (207) samples were collected, including 73 fecal samples obtained from the environment from marine mammals (predominantly feces of southern elephant seals), and 77 cloacal samples from penguins of the genus Pygoscelis (predominantly from the gentoo penguin). No evidence of mass mortality attributable to HPAIV H5N1 was observed, and all the collected samples tested negative for the presence of the virus, strongly suggesting the absence of the virus in the Antarctic territory during the specified period. This empirical evidence holds significant implications for both the ecological integrity of the region and the potential zoonotic threats, underscoring the importance of continued surveillance and monitoring in the Antarctic ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Muñoz
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8820808, Chile; (G.M.); (V.M.); (B.A.)
- Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Silvoagropecuarias y Veterinarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8820808, Chile
| | - Vanessa Mendieta
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8820808, Chile; (G.M.); (V.M.); (B.A.)
| | - Mauricio Ulloa
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety, Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35001 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain;
- Servicio Nacional de Pesca y Acuicultura, Valparaíso 2340159, Chile
| | - Belén Agüero
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8820808, Chile; (G.M.); (V.M.); (B.A.)
- Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Silvoagropecuarias y Veterinarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8820808, Chile
| | - Cristian G. Torres
- Departamento de Ciencias Clínicas, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8820808, Chile;
| | - Lucas Kruger
- Instituto Antártico Chileno, Punta Arenas 6200000, Chile;
- Millennium Institute of Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantarctic Ecosystems (BASE), Ñuñoa 7750000, Chile
| | - Victor Neira
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8820808, Chile; (G.M.); (V.M.); (B.A.)
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Gomes F, Prado T, Degrave W, Moreira L, Magalhães M, Magdinier H, Vilela R, Siqueira M, Brandão M, Ogrzewalska M. Active surveillance for influenza virus and coronavirus infection in Antarctic birds and mammals in environmental fecal samples, South Shetland Islands. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2023; 95:e20230741. [PMID: 38126386 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202320230741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous Antarctic species are recognized as reservoirs for various pathogens, and their migratory behavior allows them to reach the Brazilian coast, potentially contributing to the emergence and circulation of new infectious diseases. To address the potential zoonotic risks, we conducted surveillance of influenza A virus (IAV) and coronaviruses (CoVs) in the Antarctic Peninsula, specifically focusing on different bird and mammal species in the region. During the summer of 2021/2022, as part of the Brazilian Antarctic Expedition, we collected and examined a total of 315 fecal samples to target these respiratory viruses. Although we did not detect the viruses of interest during this particular expedition, previous research conducted by our team has shown the presence of the H11N2 subtype of influenza A virus in penguin fecal samples from the same region. Given the continuous emergence of new viral strains worldwide, it is crucial to maintain active surveillance in the area, contributing to strengthening integrated One Health surveillance efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Gomes
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Vírus Respiratórios, Exantemáticos e Entéricos e Emergências Virais, Av. Brasil, 4365, 21040-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Prado
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Vírus Respiratórios, Exantemáticos e Entéricos e Emergências Virais, Av. Brasil, 4365, 21040-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Wim Degrave
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Genômica Aplicada e Bioinovação, Av. Brasil, 4365, 21040-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Lucas Moreira
- Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Micologia, Av. Brasil, 4365, 21040-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Maithê Magalhães
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Genômica Aplicada e Bioinovação, Av. Brasil, 4365, 21040-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Harrison Magdinier
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular Aplicada a Micobactérias, Av. Brasil, 4365, 21040-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Roberto Vilela
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Biologia e Parasitologia de Mamíferos Silvestres Reservatórios, Av. Brasil, 4365, 21040-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Marilda Siqueira
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Vírus Respiratórios, Exantemáticos e Entéricos e Emergências Virais, Av. Brasil, 4365, 21040-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Martha Brandão
- Vice-Presidência de Produção e Inovação em Saúde, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil, 4365, 21040-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Maria Ogrzewalska
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Vírus Respiratórios, Exantemáticos e Entéricos e Emergências Virais, Av. Brasil, 4365, 21040-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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