The Dire Consequences of H5N1 Bird Flu on Marine Mammals
A devastating mass mortality event is unfolding along the beaches of South America, leaving thousands of sea lions and sea elephants dead. This apocalyptic scene has alarmed California sea mammal experts, who fear a similar fate may await California’s Pacific Coast and other continents as the H5N1 bird flu spreads globally.
The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, notorious for decimating wild and domestic bird populations, is now causing significant deaths in mammal populations. While the virus has previously had limited success in jumping from mammal to mammal, the scale of infections and deaths in South America raises concerns about a potential shift in its transmission capabilities.
The consequences of an improved ability for H5N1 to spread easily among mammals could be catastrophic for both endangered and non-endangered species. Chris Walzer, executive director of health for the Wildlife Conservation Society, has described the situation as an existential threat to the world’s biodiversity, with the sight of dead elephant seals being likened to an apocalypse.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the H5N1 strains present in birds are considered a low risk to the general public in the United States. However, individuals with potential exposure to infected birds should take necessary precautions. The World Health Organization has assessed the risk of human-to-human transmission as low and has developed candidate vaccines for pandemic preparedness.
Marcela Uhart, a wildlife veterinarian with UC Davis’ One Health institute in Argentina, has witnessed the alarming speed at which the virus is causing mortality among animal populations. In one instance, the mortality rate for newborn elephant seal pups reached a staggering 96% on a beach in Argentina, significantly higher than previous years.
The impact of the virus is not limited to seals, with dolphins and fur seals also experiencing die-offs. The looming threat of the virus reaching Antarctica, home to millions of birds and marine mammals, further underscores the urgency of the situation. Climate change and habitat destruction only exacerbate the challenges faced by wildlife species worldwide.
In California, concerns are mounting over the vulnerability of sea lions and sea otters to the H5N1 virus. While the state has been spared from large-scale die-off events seen elsewhere, experts emphasize the ongoing risk to vulnerable species. The need for continued vigilance and proactive measures to protect marine mammal populations remains paramount.