The H5N1 strain has been detected in the frozen wastes with sea animals and birds potentially bringing the virus closer to our shores.
According to a report on the ABC, 15 species have been detected with the virus in the region so far, from flying seabirds to penguins and now seals.
“We’ve definitely now had detections in most of the seal species in Antarctica,” said Dr Meagan Dewar, who recently returned from her fourth research expedition to the continent this year.
“Other teams found Antarctic fur seals and elephant seals are heavily impacted, crabeater seals and Weddell seals have also died from the virus and some leopard seals were detected as well,” she told 7.30.
The deadly virus targets the brain of the infected animal, leading to fatal respiratory symptoms.
The virus arrived in the remote region in 2024, spread by scavenging birds from South America.
Employing the same tools and processes used to track COVID-19, Virus Ecologist Dr Michelle Wille is now testing hundreds of samples taken from skuas, penguins and seals at the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza in Melbourne.
Another possible pathway for the virus to enter Australia is from the north, with long-distance migratory birds returning from the northern hemisphere in spring, stopping in H5N1 hotspots along the way.
