Abstract Title
Monitoring the circulation of H5N1 in penguin colonies of the Ross Sea, Antarctica, during the 2024/2025 breeding season
Abstract
The H5N1 virus was introduced to the Antarctic Peninsula in February 2024, posing a threat to the continent's unique wildlife. Experts believe that the presence of this virus will accelerate the decline of species already suffering climate change, ultimately leading to an ecological catastrophe. The activities carried out in Antarctica under the Italian National Antarctic Research Programme (PNRA) are coordinated by the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA). In view of the epidemiological scenario, ENEA and the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe) have started a collaboration to develop protocols aimed at reducing the risk of infection for personnel and preventing the spread of the virus through fomite contamination. To this end, IZSVe scientists conducted an active survey of selected penguin colonies in the Ross Sea to map the presence of the virus and inform PNRA researchers of the countermeasures to be taken. Adelie and Emperor penguins were the main target species of the survey, as there are colonies of 2,000-200,000 birds in the vicinity of the Mario Zucchelli Station (MZS). For each colony, tracheal swabs and blood samples were collected from 50 animals. Brain and lung samples were taken from carcasses. Molecular analyses were performed at the MZS to detect subtype H5. In addition, RRT-PCR assays were performed to further characterise the pathotype and to determine whether the viruses belonged to clade 2.3.4.4b. Serological analyses were performed using ELISA assays to detect the presence of antibodies directed against the H5 haemagglutinin.
Co-Author(s)
Francesco Bonfante, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell'Universita', 35020, Legnaro, Italy
Alessio Bortolami, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell'Universita', 35020, Legnaro, Italy
Valentina Maria Panzarin, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell'Universita', 35020, Legnaro, Italy
Andrea Fortin, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell'Universita', 35020, Legnaro, Italy
Elisa Mazzacan, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell'Universita', 35020, Legnaro, Italy
Alessandra Drago, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell'Universita', 35020, Legnaro, Italy
Calogero Terregino, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell'Universita', 35020, Legnaro, Italy
Riccardo Scipinotti, ENEA UTA-IAP, via Anguillarese 301, 00123 Rome, Italy
Carla Ubaldi, ENEA UTA-IAP, via Anguillarese 301, 00123 Rome, Italy
Abstract Category
Notable outbreaks, field and molecular epidemiology, and surveillance in wild birds