Risk assessment of SARS-CoV-2 in Antarctic wildlife
- Barbosa, Andres, Varsani, Arvind, Morandini, Virginia, Grimaldi, Wray, Vanstreels, Ralph, Diaz, Julia, Boulinier, Thierry, Dewar, Meagan, González-Acuña, Daniel, Gray, Rachael, McMahon, Clive, Miller, Gary, Power, Michelle, Gamble, Amandine, Wille, Michelle
- Authors: Barbosa, Andres , Varsani, Arvind , Morandini, Virginia , Grimaldi, Wray , Vanstreels, Ralph , Diaz, Julia , Boulinier, Thierry , Dewar, Meagan , González-Acuña, Daniel , Gray, Rachael , McMahon, Clive , Miller, Gary , Power, Michelle , Gamble, Amandine , Wille, Michelle
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Science of the Total Environment Vol. 755, no. 2 (2021), p. 1-8
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- Description: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This pathogen has spread rapidly across the world, causing high numbers of deaths and significant social and economic impacts. SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus with a suggested zoonotic origin with the potential for cross-species transmission among animals. Antarctica can be considered the only continent free of SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, concerns have been expressed regarding the potential human introduction of this virus to the continent through the activities of research or tourism to minimise the effects on human health, and the potential for virus transmission to Antarctic wildlife. We assess the reverse-zoonotic transmission risk to Antarctic wildlife by considering the available information on host susceptibility, dynamics of the infection in humans, and contact interactions between humans and Antarctic wildlife. The environmental conditions in Antarctica seem to be favourable for the virus stability. Indoor spaces such as those at research stations, research vessels or tourist cruise ships could allow for more transmission among humans and depending on their movements between different locations the virus could be spread across the continent. Among Antarctic wildlife previous in silico analyses suggested that cetaceans are at greater risk of infection whereas seals and birds appear to be at a low infection risk. However, caution needed until further research is carried out and consequently, the precautionary principle should be applied. Field researchers handling animals are identified as the human group posing the highest risk of transmission to animals while tourists and other personnel pose a significant risk only when in close proximity (< 5 m) to Antarctic fauna. We highlight measures to reduce the risk as well as identify of knowledge gaps related to this issue. © 2020 The Authors
- Authors: Barbosa, Andres , Varsani, Arvind , Morandini, Virginia , Grimaldi, Wray , Vanstreels, Ralph , Diaz, Julia , Boulinier, Thierry , Dewar, Meagan , González-Acuña, Daniel , Gray, Rachael , McMahon, Clive , Miller, Gary , Power, Michelle , Gamble, Amandine , Wille, Michelle
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Science of the Total Environment Vol. 755, no. 2 (2021), p. 1-8
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This pathogen has spread rapidly across the world, causing high numbers of deaths and significant social and economic impacts. SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus with a suggested zoonotic origin with the potential for cross-species transmission among animals. Antarctica can be considered the only continent free of SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, concerns have been expressed regarding the potential human introduction of this virus to the continent through the activities of research or tourism to minimise the effects on human health, and the potential for virus transmission to Antarctic wildlife. We assess the reverse-zoonotic transmission risk to Antarctic wildlife by considering the available information on host susceptibility, dynamics of the infection in humans, and contact interactions between humans and Antarctic wildlife. The environmental conditions in Antarctica seem to be favourable for the virus stability. Indoor spaces such as those at research stations, research vessels or tourist cruise ships could allow for more transmission among humans and depending on their movements between different locations the virus could be spread across the continent. Among Antarctic wildlife previous in silico analyses suggested that cetaceans are at greater risk of infection whereas seals and birds appear to be at a low infection risk. However, caution needed until further research is carried out and consequently, the precautionary principle should be applied. Field researchers handling animals are identified as the human group posing the highest risk of transmission to animals while tourists and other personnel pose a significant risk only when in close proximity (< 5 m) to Antarctic fauna. We highlight measures to reduce the risk as well as identify of knowledge gaps related to this issue. © 2020 The Authors
Macroparasites in Antarctic penguins
- Fusaro, Bruno, Vidal,Virginia, González-Acuña, Daniel, Schneider Costa, Erli, Dewar, Meagan, Gray, Rachael, Power, Michelle, Miller, Gary, Blyton, Michaela, Vanstreels, Ralph, Barbosa, Andres
- Authors: Fusaro, Bruno , Vidal,Virginia , González-Acuña, Daniel , Schneider Costa, Erli , Dewar, Meagan , Gray, Rachael , Power, Michelle , Miller, Gary , Blyton, Michaela , Vanstreels, Ralph , Barbosa, Andres
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Biodiversity and evolution of parasitic life in the Southern Ocean Chapter 9 p. 183-204
- Full Text: false
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- Description: Parasitism is a highly common mode of living in animals being parasite species very abundant. Parasites affect in a different ways the host life through subtle effects to more dramatic effects causing population crashes and then regulating host populations. Antarctica and the Southern Ocean wildlife show also parasites although the published information is very scarce. This is even in the case of the most studied group of Antarctic seabirds, the penguins. In this chapter, we analyze the published information about the presence, epidemiology, life cycles, and effects of macroparasites, helminths, and ectoparasites in Antarctic penguins. Most of the publications only give information about the presence/absence of parasites, and very few give data about epidemiology such as prevalence or intensity of parasitization. The information about intermediate host is almost absent, and parasite effects have been addressed very few times. Moreover, the information is based on few areas, and there is not any long-term data set which makes difficult a broad understanding of the impact of parasites in the ecology of penguins. Nevertheless, the little information allows extracting some conclusions. First, the diversity of parasite species is very low which can be explained by the narrow diet spectrum and the harsh conditions. Second, helminths occur at higher prevalence than ectoparasites. In general, a trend of decreased macroparasite prevalence towards more southerly locations can be identified, although the small number of studies precludes a robust conclusion. Third, general parasite effects have been reported causing tissue damage, changes in immune parameters, reduction in body mass, reduction of breeding success, and transmission of diseases, this later in the case of ticks. Finally, it is expected that climate change will affect host-parasite interaction in penguins due to changes in the parasite distribution, host exposure, or resistance, but a higher number of studies with good quality data at long term are needed to confirm the expectations and a deeper understanding of the ecological aspects of parasites such as life cycle, epidemiology, and health impacts in the penguins.
Happy feet in a hostile world? The future of penguins depends on proactive management of current and expected threats
- Ropert-Coudert, Yan, Chiaradia, Andre, Ainley, David, Barbosa, Andres, Boersma, Dee, Brasso, Rebecka, Dewar, Meagan, Ellenberg, Ursula, García-Borboroglu, Pablo, Emmerson, Loulse, Hickcox, Rachel, Jenouvrier, Stephanie, Kato, Akiko, McIntosh, Rebecca, Lewis, Phoebe, Ramírez, Francisco, Ruoppolo, Valeria, Ryan, Peter, Seddon, Philip, Sherley, Richard, Vanstreels, Ralph, Waller, Lauren, Woehler, Eric, Trathan, Phil
- Authors: Ropert-Coudert, Yan , Chiaradia, Andre , Ainley, David , Barbosa, Andres , Boersma, Dee , Brasso, Rebecka , Dewar, Meagan , Ellenberg, Ursula , García-Borboroglu, Pablo , Emmerson, Loulse , Hickcox, Rachel , Jenouvrier, Stephanie , Kato, Akiko , McIntosh, Rebecca , Lewis, Phoebe , Ramírez, Francisco , Ruoppolo, Valeria , Ryan, Peter , Seddon, Philip , Sherley, Richard , Vanstreels, Ralph , Waller, Lauren , Woehler, Eric , Trathan, Phil
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Frontiers in Marine Science Vol. 6, no. May (2019), p. 1-23
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- Description: Penguins face a wide range of threats. Most observed population changes have been negative and have happened over the last 60 years. Today, populations of 11 penguin species are decreasing. Here we present a review that synthesizes details of threats faced by the world's 18 species of penguins. We discuss alterations to their environment at both breeding sites on land and at sea where they forage. The major drivers of change appear to be climate, and food web alterations by marine fisheries. In addition, we also consider other critical and/or emerging threats, namely human disturbance near nesting sites, pollution due to oil, plastics and chemicals such as mercury and persistent organic compounds. Finally, we assess the importance of emerging pathogens and diseases on the health of penguins. We suggest that in the context of climate change, habitat degradation, introduced exotic species and resource competition with fisheries, successful conservation outcomes will require new and unprecedented levels of science and advocacy. Successful conservation stories of penguin species across their geographical range have occurred where there has been concerted effort across local, national and international boundaries to implement effective conservation planning.
- Authors: Ropert-Coudert, Yan , Chiaradia, Andre , Ainley, David , Barbosa, Andres , Boersma, Dee , Brasso, Rebecka , Dewar, Meagan , Ellenberg, Ursula , García-Borboroglu, Pablo , Emmerson, Loulse , Hickcox, Rachel , Jenouvrier, Stephanie , Kato, Akiko , McIntosh, Rebecca , Lewis, Phoebe , Ramírez, Francisco , Ruoppolo, Valeria , Ryan, Peter , Seddon, Philip , Sherley, Richard , Vanstreels, Ralph , Waller, Lauren , Woehler, Eric , Trathan, Phil
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Frontiers in Marine Science Vol. 6, no. May (2019), p. 1-23
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Penguins face a wide range of threats. Most observed population changes have been negative and have happened over the last 60 years. Today, populations of 11 penguin species are decreasing. Here we present a review that synthesizes details of threats faced by the world's 18 species of penguins. We discuss alterations to their environment at both breeding sites on land and at sea where they forage. The major drivers of change appear to be climate, and food web alterations by marine fisheries. In addition, we also consider other critical and/or emerging threats, namely human disturbance near nesting sites, pollution due to oil, plastics and chemicals such as mercury and persistent organic compounds. Finally, we assess the importance of emerging pathogens and diseases on the health of penguins. We suggest that in the context of climate change, habitat degradation, introduced exotic species and resource competition with fisheries, successful conservation outcomes will require new and unprecedented levels of science and advocacy. Successful conservation stories of penguin species across their geographical range have occurred where there has been concerted effort across local, national and international boundaries to implement effective conservation planning.
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