Risk assessment of SARS-CoV-2 in Antarctic wildlife

Andrés Barbosa, Arvind Varsani, Virginia Morandini, Wray Grimaldi, Ralph E.T. Vanstreels, Julia I. Diaz, Thierry Boulinier, Meagan Dewar, Daniel González-Acuña, Rachael Gray, Clive R. McMahon, Gary Miller, Michelle Power, Amandine Gamble, Michelle Wille

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number143352
JournalScience of the Total Environment
Volume755
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 10 2021

Keywords

  • Antarctica
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus
  • Mitigation measures
  • Reverse zoonoses
  • Transmission

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Waste Management and Disposal
  • Pollution

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Risk assessment of SARS-CoV-2 in Antarctic wildlife'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this