The expanding H5N1 avian influenza panzootic causes high mortality of skuas in Antarctica

High pathogenicity avian influenza virus H5N1 subtype (H5N1 HPAIV), clade 2.3.4.4b, is expanding its host and geographical range, and invaded Antarctica in 2023. Although mortality in Antarctic wildlife from H5N1 HPAIV has been suspected, mainly based on virological analysis of swabs collected from dead animals, it has not been unequivocally diagnosed. Here we show that H5N1 HPAIV caused high mortality in a breeding colony of skuas at one of ten sites in Antarctica we visited in March 2024. By combined virological, bacteriological and pathological analyses, we found that H5N1 HPAIV caused multi-organ necrosis and rapid death in skuas, but not in other species examined. Taken together with recent data, skuas in Antarctica are at risk of continued mortality from H5N1 HPAIV infection, threatening their already small populations. Conversely, because of their wide distribution and ecological relevance, skuas may play a substantial role in the spread of the virus across Antarctica. Transdisciplinary surveillance is needed in coming years to monitor the impact of this poultry-origin disease on Antarctica’s unique wildlife.

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Publication Details

Journal
Scientific Reports
Published
2026-01-14
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-34736-3
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Influenza Virus Research Studies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
31.52

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article

The expanding H5N1 avian influenza panzootic causes high mortality of skuas in Antarctica

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Scientific Reports
Influenza Virus Research Studies
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The expanding H5N1 avian influenza panzootic causes high mortality of skuas in Antarctica

Andrés Ibáñez, Manuel Máñez, Lineke Begeman, Bruno Fusaro, Matteo Iervolino, Alice Reade, Adam Coerper, Ben Wallis, Beatriz Bellido-Martín, Ralph E. T. Vanstreels, Thijs Kuiken, Florencia Soto, Peter van Run, Begoña Aguado, Anne Günther, Simeon Lisovski, Antonio Alcamí, Theo M. Bestebroer, Martin Beer, M. Valentina Fornillo, Meagan Dewar, Lonneke Leijten
article en
1 citations

Abstract

High pathogenicity avian influenza virus H5N1 subtype (H5N1 HPAIV), clade 2.3.4.4b, is expanding its host and geographical range, and invaded Antarctica in 2023. Although mortality in Antarctic wildlife from H5N1 HPAIV has been suspected, mainly based on virological analysis of swabs collected from dead animals, it has not been unequivocally diagnosed. Here we show that H5N1 HPAIV caused high mortality in a breeding colony of skuas at one of ten sites in Antarctica we visited in March 2024. By combined virological, bacteriological and pathological analyses, we found that H5N1 HPAIV caused multi-organ necrosis and rapid death in skuas, but not in other species examined. Taken together with recent data, skuas in Antarctica are at risk of continued mortality from H5N1 HPAIV infection, threatening their already small populations. Conversely, because of their wide distribution and ecological relevance, skuas may play a substantial role in the spread of the virus across Antarctica. Transdisciplinary surveillance is needed in coming years to monitor the impact of this poultry-origin disease on Antarctica’s unique wildlife.

Scientific ReportsVol. 16(1)
Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung (DE), Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (DE), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ES), Federation University (AU), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (AR), Erasmus MC (NL), Argentine Antarctic Institute (AR), Centro Científico Tecnológico - La Plata (AR), Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (ES), Instituto de Biología Subtropical (AR), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (ES), University of California, Davis (US), Universidad Nacional de La Plata (AR), Erasmus University Rotterdam (NL)
European Commission
Openalex Percentile: Top 2%
Influenza Virus Research Studies
31.52
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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