Antarctica’s wildlife is facing a new threat—highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1—and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Penguins, seals (don’t forget about the seals!), and entire ecosystems are at risk, but traditional methods of tracking the virus are too slow and impractical for this remote, icy frontier. That’s why we’re calling for bold, innovative solutions: environmental sampling, drones, and portable diagnostics that can work in the toughest conditions. Protecting Antarctica isn’t just about saving wildlife—it’s about safeguarding an entire continent’s biodiversity and future. It’s time for action, collaboration, and smarter surveillance to prevent a crisis before it’s too late.

Link to the article: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169534724002787?via%3Dihub