Scientists to research bird flu on Antarctic islands

Australian scientists will sail on a wet, wild and windy expedition to investigate whether bird flu reaches the islands on the world heritage list in Antarctica.

A group of experts, Heard and McDonald Islands, 4000 km southwest of Western Australia, will travel as part of the country’s largest campaign in twenty years.

Environmental Minister Murray Watt, who joined scientists at Hobart on Friday, said that the bird flu is the only continent that is far from the H5 strain, despite the global spread of Australia.

“There are other Antarcticas that we see bird flu, and it is important that we understand whether it is on the Heard and McDonald Islands,” Senator Watt said. He said.

Agriculture Minister Julie Collins, 10 -day mission will increase the preparation of Australia, he said.

“As a government, we have invested about $ 100 million for the H5 bird flu … To make sure we are as ready as possible when the bird flu arrives.” He said.

H5 Bird Influenza is a very infectious strain that mainly affects birds but can infected other animals. It rarely affects people.

Emma Campbell, the Australian Antarctic Program section, said that one of the main objectives of the journey is to evaluate the magnitude and distribution of seasion and seal populations on the islands.

“This is really important for us to get data that can be fed with our threatening type of rescue plans and understand what is happening on these islands.” Campbell said Campbell. He said.

Justine Shaw, the leadership of Antarctica’s environmental future project, said Heard Island has some of the world’s most heated glaciers.

“I can see that there are lases that I once worked and made science, which I once worked and made science.” He said.

He said that the discovery is expected to be “wet, wild and windy”, but the RSV Nuyina ice breaking ship is “comfortable” and any risk of biosyalty will be reduced considerably.

A 25 -day journey will focus on Hobart and land in November.