The rise in sea level, the melting of glaciers, storms with more intense rain and the increase in the frequency of heat waves are the planetary derangements that often come to mind when theclimate change. Now two researchers from the University of Michigan (USA) say aincreased risk of avian flu transmission in wild birds.
Ecologists Pejman Rohani and Victoria Brown used a mathematical model to explore the consequences of altered interactions between important migratory shorebird species and horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus) as a result of climate change. The scientists found thatClimate change could disrupt interactions between the reddish turnstone ( Arenaria interpres ) and horseshoe crabsThey provide most of the birds’ food during their annual stopover in Delaware Bay, a wide estuary of the Delaware River. These disorders could lead toan increase in the rate of bird flu infection among Turnstones and resident ducks in the Delaware Bay. Since this area is a crossroads for many species of birds that migrate between continents, an increase in the infection rate of avian influenza could aid in the spread of novel subtypes of the influenza virus among wild bird populations. from North America, according to the authors. Their conclusions are published in the magazineBiology Letters.
The birds arrive in Delaware Bay as the availability of horseshoe crab eggs coincides. Brown and Rohani wondered what would happen to flu levels in Delaware Bay birds if climate change altered the cycle of the migratory flight of turnstone to Delaware Bay or affected the spawning time of horseshoe crabs. The researchers found that if common turnstones arrive in Delaware Bay several weeks earlier or later than their current arrival date in May, flu infection rates in the species increase significantly, increasing infection rates among the species. resident ducks. “We are not suggesting that our conclusions necessarily indicate an increased risk to human health,” explains Rohani. “But each of the pandemic influenza viruses that has been studied has included segments of the avian influenza virus.”
Avian flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with avian influenza viruses have occurred. Since 2003, for example, more than 600 cases, including more than 300 deaths, from human infection with the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus A H5N1 have been reported worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.
