Antarctic expedition confirms the spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in the Weddell Sea

The CSIC-UNESPA scientific expedition has been underway since last January with the aim of monitoring the presence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI H5N1) in Antarctica. The first results of the campaign, led by Antonio Alcamí, a CSIC research professor at the Severo Ochoa Molecular Biology Center (CBMSO-CSIC-UAM), have confirmed the presence of the virus in all species detected on six islands in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica.