Avian Flu & Antarctica
- Avian Flu has been present on the Antarctic Peninsula since February 2024, having been introduced naturally by migrating birds
- The arrival of Avian Flu was anticipated and plans were already place to manage its effects
- Simple biosecurity procedures allowed expedition cruise ships to continue visiting Antarctica with unchanged itineraries
- Swoop had a brilliant 2023/24 season in Antarctica, with our customers having a wonderful experience on the White Continent.
- We're constantly monitoring the situation so we can keep all our travellers fully informed throughout their journey with us
What is Avian Flu?
Avian Flu is a naturally existing virus found in wild bird populations that is spread by faeces and respiratory secretions. While most strains of the virus are harmless, the H5N1 strain (also known as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza or HPAI) carries a much higher risk to animals. Although it mainly affects birds, a substrain has been shown to affect some wild mammal species living in close quarters with infected birds. It carries a very low risk to humans.
Since 2020, the HPAI strain has been spread by migratory birds across Asia, Europe and North and South America, causing widespread mortality, particularly among seabird populations. In late 2023 it arrived on South Georgia, and was first detected on the Antarctic Peninsula in February 2024. Its effects have mainly been seen among skuas, elephant seals and fur seals.
A successful 2023/24 Antarctic season
The arrival of Avian Flu on the Antarctic Peninsula near the end of the 2024 by migrating birds was an event that had been planned for. The International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) introduced precautionary biosecurity measures for all ships and visitors that have been operating successfully since 2022. Swoop is proud to be a member of IAATO.
Avian Flu was initially detected in locations that were already designated as areas for zodiac cruising only. Expedition cruise ships continued to successfully visit Antarctica, with no effect on itineraries.
What this means for your trip
Antarctica remains open for exploration for the coming 2024/25 season. The great size of the Antarctic Peninsula and the number and variety of landing sites along its 450 mile length, give ships great flexibility in avoiding any areas potential affected by Avian Flu.
The arrival of Avian Flu has been anticipated and planned for by IAATO and our Antarctic cruise ship operators, with heightened biosecurity measures operating successfully since the end of 2022. In addition, cruise operators have a year’s experience operating successfully in South Georgia under Avian Flu management procedures to draw on, enabling them to continue to offer the best of Antarctica to visitors.
Expedition teams continue to make sure that visitors aren’t an added vector for Avian Flu. Simple biosecurity measures include the thorough cleaning of your kit and boots both before and after landings, and a ban on sitting, kneeling or squatting on the ground. Your expedition team will cover this in detail when you’re aboard.
If there are any further cases of Avian Flu and some locations become temporarily closed to landings, Antarctica also offers a breadth of other experiences: zodiac cruises around icebergs, kayaking with penguins, whale watching from your ship and walking or camping among beautiful scenery far from any wildlife with just the mountains and glaciers for company.
Swoop says
To date, the arrival of Avian Flu on the Antarctic Peninsula has had no impact on expedition cruise ship itineraries.
What our travellers loved about Antarctica in 2023/24
Review:
Avian Flu & Antarctica: FAQs
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Will my trip to Antarctica be affected?
Antarctic trip itineraries have operates as normal since the detection of Avian Flu on the Peninsula.
All visitors will continue to participate in the simple biosecurity procedures already in place for Antarctica, such as disinfecting boots and kit between landings. To prevent the possibility of accidental transmission during a landing, it's not permitted to sit, kneel or squat on the ground, or place bags on the ground. Your expedition team will talk you through these procedures before you arrive in Antarctica.
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Will I still get to see Antarctica's wildlife?
Yes. Currently there are no changes to Antarctic itineraries and all landing sites remain open for visitors.
Should any locations temporarily close for landings in the future, it's worth noting that many of Antarctica's best wildlife experiences actually take place on the water: seeing leopard seals on ice floes during a zodiac cruise, having penguins porpoise around you on a kayaking trip, or watching whales from the deck of your ship. In Antarctica, you are never far from the action!
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What are the risks of Avian Flu to Antarctica's wildlife?
Avian Flu is a highly contagious disease that primarily affects birds, but it is also known to affect mammals including species like seals who are often found in association with seabirds. The risk to wildlife is great, which is why the protective biosecurity measures introduced by IAATO in Antarctica are so important.
Avian Flu has been shown to particularly affect brown skuas, kelp gulls, giant petrels, elephant seals and fur seals. To date, it has not spread among penguins.
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Does Avian Flu carry any risk to humans?
While it’s possible that Avian Flu can be transmitted to humans, the practical risks are very low and require continuous close contact with an infected animal.
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I'm also travelling to South Georgia: is that affected by Avian Flu?
Avian Flu arrived naturally on South Georgia in October 2023. This led to the temporary closing of several landing sites to visitors, while still keeping those locations open to zodiac cruises. These shoreline safaris have always been a key component of any trip to South Georgia, where the sheer density of wildlife on the beaches can often make landings impractical.
For the 2024/25 season, landings on South Georgia are permitted at the discretion of your onboard expedition team, subject to increased scouting by guides for signs of Avian Flu before guests leave the ship and strict adherence to the simple biosecurity rules.
Ship operators have successfully visited South Georgia ever since the first detection of Avian Flu there. Swoop passengers travelling to South Georgia in the 2023/24 season reported high levels of satisfaction from their time there, and we anticipate this will continue for the 2024/25 season.
A small number of cases of Avian Flu have been recorded in the Falkland Islands since late 2023, but the majority of landing sites have remained open, with visitors following the same simple biosecurity procedures as for South Georgia and Antarctica.
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What can be done to prevent the spread of Avian Flu?
Avian Flu is spread naturally by migrating birds.
All visitors to Antarctica can play their part in helping to protect the region's wildlife by adhering to the biosecurity procedures that are already operating on expedition cruise ships during landings.
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What happens if the situation changes?
Swoop is continually monitoring the situation and working with our partners and IAATO to keep you up to date. We'll keep you actively informed if there are changes that may affect your trip, as well as keeping this page regularly updated.
Swoop says
Expedition teams are well-prepared and experienced when it comes to Avian Flu in Antarctica. The Antarctic Peninsula is huge and has plenty of space for adventure, with the locations you'll visit being decided daily by your ship's Captain and Expedition Leader, just as they have always been.
