Avian Flu Confirmed on Remote Island: Six Bird Species Affected

Six Bird Species Affected by Avian Flu on Isolated Island

​A highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza (H5N1) has been confirmed on Marion Island, a remote sub-Antarctic island situated between South Africa and Antarctica. This outbreak has affected six bird species, including wandering albatrosses, brown skuas, king penguins, giant petrels (both southern and northern), and sooty albatrosses.

Impact on Bird Populations:

• Wandering Albatrosses: Approximately 150 out of 1,900 chicks from the 2024 cohort have died.​
• Brown Skuas: At least 80 adult individuals have been affected.
• King Penguins: About 120 adult birds have been impacted.​
• Giant Petrels: At least 20 southern and four northern giant petrels have been affected.​
• Sooty Albatrosses: Five individuals have been observed with the disease. ​

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) in South Africa has confirmed these findings after laboratory analyses. The presence of H5N1 on Marion Island is particularly concerning due to its status as a critical breeding ground for these seabird species.

This development underscores the broader spread of avian influenza in remote regions, following similar outbreaks in the Crozet and Kerguelen Islands, where the virus has affected penguins, seals, and other seabirds.