Analysis of samples (cloaca, blood and tissue) from Adelie penguins and Weddell seal samples for influenze viruses from Cape Bird

In order to understand the conditions under which antigens are transferred between animals and human strains of influenza viruses it is necessary to study the ecology of animal influenza viruses. Antibodies to influenza virus found in Adelie penguins at Casey Station and in skuas at Cape Bird indicate that influenza viruses infect birds in the Antarctic.

The aim of this study was to isolate the influenza viruses from Adelie penguins and skuas, characterize them and compare them with influenza viruses from other hosts and from other regions. In addition, Weddell seals were sampled to determine if they are hosts to these viruses. Recent outbreaks of serious disease in seals in the northern hemisphere were caused by what had been regarded as avian influenza viruses.