Mounting evidence for the presence of influenza A virus in the avifauna of the Antarctic region

• Published in: Antarctic Science
• Main Authors: Wallensten, A, Munster, V J, Osterhaus, A D M E, Waldenström, Jonas, Bonnedahl, J, Broman, T, Fouchier, R A M, Olsen, B
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley-Blackwell 2006
• Subjects: Ecology; Antarctic; The Antarctic; Antarctic Peninsula; Bird Island; Antarc*; Antarctic Science
• Online Access: https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/162725; https://doi.org/10.1017/S095410200600040X

Penguin blood samples collected at Bird Island, sub-Antarctic South Georgia, and faecal samples taken from penguins at several localities along the Antarctic Peninsula were analysed in order to investigate if influenza A virus is present in penguin populations in the South Atlantic Antarctic region. Serology was performed on the blood samples while the faecal samples were screened by a RT-PCR method directed at the matrix protein gene for determining the presence of influenza A virus. All faecal samples were negative by PCR, but the blood samples gave serologic indications that influenza A virus is present amongst these penguin species, confirming previous studies, although the virus has still not been isolated from any bird in the Antarctic region.