Heightened risk of avian influenza in the Southern Ocean

Advice from avian influenza experts suggests that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 will likely arrive in the Southern Ocean during the 2022/23 or 2023/24 austral summers by way of migrating species. The SCAR Antarctic Wildlife Health Working Group (AWHWG) is concerned about the likely arrival and significant impact HPAI might have on wildlife in the region. This paper provides background information that may be useful for CCAMLR Members on avian influenza. Additional work is underway through SCAR, with IAATO and COMNAP, to develop practical advice to identify suspected cases and to eliminate risk associated with direct human contact. It may also be timely for the Scientific Committee to consider revising the CCAMLR Ecosystem Monitoring Program (CEMP) Standard Methods protocols on collection of samples in the event of disease.