Bird flu confirmed among mass sub-Antarctic seal deaths as virus continues global spread [H5N1 surveillance]

A virology team has confirmed the first bird flu infections in elephant and fur seals in the sub-Antarctic region, as the highly contagious H5N1 virus continues to spread around the world.

Researchers previously reported the mass deaths of seals and that a number of elephant seals on South Georgia island – a UK overseas territory in the southern Atlantic Ocean – had been exhibiting symptoms of avian flu. But while seabird cases were confirmed, the seal infections were classed as suspected, pending lab results.

The first known cases of H5N1 were detected in the Antarctic region in October among brown skua on Bird Island, off South Georgia. Two months later, hundreds of elephant seals were found dead. There have also been increased deaths of fur seals, kelp gulls and brown skua at several other sites.

Marco Falchieri, a scientist in the UK Animal and Plant Health Agency’s (APHA) influenza and avian virology team, which collected the South Georgia samples that tested positive for bird flu. He said he saw about 20 dead elephant seals. “Emotionally it is almost heartbreaking to see so many dead seals.”

Other seals were showing respiratory signs of bird flu, he said, citing “coughs, sneezing, ocular discharge, nasal discharge, slow head shaking and tremors”.

Falchieri said the death toll on South Georgia was probably about 100, mainly elephant seals, who appear to be more affected than fur seals.

“My worst fear is an adaptive mutation to mammals, which we are not seeing in these new samples, but we need to keep monitoring,” he said. An adaptive mutation, he added, “could mean it becomes a mammalian-adapted virus, and consequently increases risk for humans too”.

LOL. But stating the obvious, this virus is now in a lab, probably being tweaked under new GOFROC guidelines to obfuscate the facts and insulate the players (it worked well with fauxi).

It’s the pattern of detection in obscure, remote areas which is troubling to me (last time was in Alaska).

The last time an H1N1 variant was making its rounds (under all the hype at the time) I had an open call out for anyone sick to let me know so that I could buy them dinner and get exposed.

That offer still stands, and though there are obviously some risks, I never played the hyper sanitizing game and still only rarely wash my hands beyond the obvious (after using the restroom).

I, too, will be Ok or take as many of them with me as possible.

Infectious Disease -" Bird flu confirmed among mass sub-Antarctic seal deaths as virus continues global spread [H5N1 surveillance]"
H5N1 virus possibly affecting seal populations in Antarctica and possibly crossing over to mammalian populations ?

logi_cal869 :”From January, but not posted to FR. Tag this 'H5N1 surveillance' for obvious reasons
(i.e., “could mean it becomes a mammalian-adapted virus, and consequently increases risk for humans too” with a little 'help'). “
[Noto Bene: The news source is from theguardian.com ]
News Source : https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/jan/11/mass-seal-deaths-antarctic-southern-atlantic-south-georgia-bird-flu-aoe

(From the article):" A virology team has confirmed the first bird flu infections in elephant and fur seals in the sub-Antarctic region,
as the highly contagious H5N1 virus continues to spread around the world."

"Researchers previously reported the mass deaths of seals and that a number of elephant seals on South Georgia island
– a UK overseas territory in the southern Atlantic Ocean
– had been exhibiting symptoms of avian flu.
But while seabird cases were confirmed, the seal infections were classed as suspected, pending lab results."

"The first known cases of H5N1 were detected in the Antarctic region in October among brown skua on Bird Island, off South Georgia.
Two months later, hundreds of elephant seals were found dead.
There have also been increased deaths of fur seals, kelp gulls and brown skua at several other sites."

"Marco Falchieri, a scientist in the UK Animal and Plant Health Agency’s (APHA) influenza and avian virology team,
which collected the South Georgia samples that tested positive for bird flu.
He said he saw about 20 dead elephant seals.
“Emotionally it is almost heartbreaking to see so many dead seals.”

"Other seals were showing respiratory signs of bird flu, he said, citing “coughs, sneezing, ocular discharge, nasal discharge, slow head shaking and tremors”.

"Falchieri said the death toll on South Georgia was probably about 100,
mainly elephant seals, who appear to be more affected than fur seals. "

Bring Out Your Dead

Post to me or FReep mail to be on/off the Bring Out Your Dead ping list.

The purpose of the “Bring Out Your Dead” ping list (formerly the “Ebola” ping list) is very early warning of emerging pandemics, as such it has a high false positive rate.

The false positive rate was 100%.

At some point we may well have a high mortality pandemic, and likely as not the “Bring Out Your Dead” threads will miss the beginning entirely.

*sigh* Such is life, and death...

Quarantine the sick. Protect the vulnerable. Hang the guilty. Free everyone else.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.