The CSIC-UNESPA scientific expedition has been underway since last January with the aim of monitoring the presence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI H5N1) in Antarctica. The first results of the campaign, led by Antonio Alcamí, a CSIC research professor at the Severo Ochoa Molecular Biology Center (CBMSO-CSIC-UAM), have confirmed the presence of the virus in all species detected on six islands in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica.
The finding, according to the researcher, will allow national polar programs to be prepared and to consider measures to prevent the transmission of the infection through human means, especially the spread to people, as many of the locations where the virus was detected are frequently visited by tourist and research vessels.
Well that’s terrifying.