Samples of suspected high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) taken on the Marion Island - one of South Africa’s two sub-Antarctic islands in the southern Indian Ocean - will only be tested in February 2025.
This emerged when Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) minister Dion George responded to questions by DA MP, Wildri Dennis Peach, who wanted to know how the Department identified the suspected cases of the highly pathogenic avian flu (HPAI/H5N1) on Marion Island.
It is believed to be responsible for causing mortalities in at least three breeding seabird species.
Peach also wanted to know whether any samples had been collected, who would analyse them and on what date the results would be made public.
In September, a Brown Skua was initially suspected to have died due to HPAI which was followed by five more cases in November, involving three Wandering Albatross chicks and two Southern Giant Petrel adults.
George said that birds infected with HPAI/H5N1 commonly display unusual behaviour (lethargy and seizures), neurological abnormalities, conjunctivitis, and respiratory distress.
“The symptoms were also confirmed by the team of experts, which included a seabird scientist from the DFFE, a state veterinarian and academic experts, a collective decision on the suspicion of the disease was made. Validation from the Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research (SCAR) was also sought and they corroborated the signals from the images and footage taken,” George said. “The field personnel have been collecting samples since the suspected cases were detected, however, due to the remote nature of the island, samples were only going to be collected during the 2025 relief voyage. Swab samples have been collected from dead birds and those with symptoms in line with the recommended sampling methods.”
The minister said further samples were set to be collected during an Antarctica relief voyage this month when the SA Agulhas II makes a stop in Marion Island.
“Although the samples will be collected in December 2024, the samples are expected to be tested only upon the vessel's return to South Africa in February 2025, because a proper laboratory is needed for such testing. However, if an opportunistic flight from Antarctica becomes available before February 2025, the samples may be tested sooner.”
According to the minister, they have been working closely with the Western Cape Veterinary Services and will test the samples at the Western Cape Provincial Laboratory in Stellenbosch.
“As soon as the results are available, they will also be published.”
Cape Times