Penguins are picking up bugs from TOURISTS: Bird population ‘could be wiped out’ by Antarctica visitors who are passing on salmonella and antibiotic resistant bacteria

  • Almost 40,000 tourists and researchers visit the Antarctica each year
  • Droppings were collected from more than 600 birds between 2008 and 2011 
  • Infected penguins include macaroni, king and gentoo penguins and other birds 
  • First time human to animal transfer of bacteria has been seen on Antarctica

Bird populations in Antarctica could be be wiped out tourists who are passing on bacteria to penguins and other creatures. 

Scientists analysed the droppings of more than six hundred and sixty six adult birds between 2008 and 2011 at four different locations across the Antarctic Ocean.

The study found strains of bacteria linked to humans, including antibiotic resistant microbes and DNA from a bacterium which causes food poisoning.

'Reverse zoonosis', which means human-to-animal disease transmission, has been seen on every continent except isolated Antarctica - until now.

Experts fear that these disease causing pathogens will have devastating consequences for all Antarctic species, some of which are endangered.

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A rise in the numbers in tourism may have led to penguins in the Antarctica picking up bugs from the visiting humans, according to new research. Scientists analysed droppings from the birds and found bacteria linked to humans, including antibiotic resistant strains (stock image)

A rise in the numbers in tourism may have led to penguins in the Antarctica picking up bugs from the visiting humans, according to new research. Scientists analysed droppings from the birds and found bacteria linked to humans, including antibiotic resistant strains (stock image)

Droppings were collected locations including Livingston, Marion and Gough Island, and the Falkland Islands, which are on many of the birds’ migration routes and have seen an increase in tourist numbers.

Researchers from the University of Barcelona detected a salmonella strain typically found in scavenging birds associated with urban areas. 

Campylobacter jejuni, a bacterium found in food and one of the most common cause of food poisoning in Europe and the United States, was detected in the droppings. 

They also found a form of gastrointestinal bacterium called Campylobacter lari which was resistant to antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin and enrofloxacin.

These antibiotics are commonly used in human and veterinary medicine, which suggests that the penguins have been contaminated by people rather than the natural environment.  

The penguins found to be infected with human pathogens included macaroni penguins, king penguins and the near-threatened gentoo penguins. 

Other seabirds affected include southern giant petrels, kelp gulls and brown skuas. 

Possible sources of the bacteria transferring to the penguins in the Antarctica include tourist cruises and scientific research outposts. Until now Antarctica had been the only continent where such transmission had not been documented (stock image)

Possible sources of the bacteria transferring to the penguins in the Antarctica include tourist cruises and scientific research outposts. Until now Antarctica had been the only continent where such transmission had not been documented (stock image)

ZOONOTIC DISEASES: THESE ARE VIRUSES USUALLY STARTED IN WILD ANIMALS THAT CAN PASS TO OTHER SPECIES AND SURVIVE

Zoonotic diseases are able to pass from one species to another.

The infecting agent - called a pathogen - in these diseases is able to cross the species border and still survive. 

They range in potency, and are often less dangerous in one species than they are in another. 

In order to be successful they rely on long and direct contact with different animals.  

Common examples are the strains of influenza that have adapted to survive in humans from various different host animals. 

H5N1, H7N9 and H5N6 are all strains of avian influenza which originated in birds and infected humans.

These cases are rare but outbreaks do occur when a person has prolonged, direct exposure with infected animals. 

The flu strain is also incapable of passing from human to human once a person is infected.  

A 2009 outbreak of swine flu - H1N1 - was considered a pandemic and governments spent millions developing 'tamiflu' to stop the spread of the disease. 

Influenza is zoonotic because, as a virus, it can rapidly evolve and change its shape and structure.  

There are examples of other zoonotic diseases, such as chlamydia. 

Chlamydia is a bacteria that has many different strains in the general family. 

This has been known to happen with some specific strains, Chlamydia abortus for example.

This specific bacteria can cause abortion in small ruminants, and if transmitted to a human can result in abortions, premature births and life-threatening illnesses in pregnant women.

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The study's authors notes that birds and humans in the more isolated islands are coming into increasing contact, thanks to research centers there and growing numbers of tourists. 

'It's reasonable to think that the rapid increase of tourism has increased the risk of pathogen invasion,' said Professor Jacob González-Solís of the University of Barcelona.

'Sooner or later the transmission of one of these pathogens is going to destroy a local population of birds.' 

The researchers found salmonella typically found in scavenging birds associated with urban areas and antibiotic resistant strains in the droppings leaving them vulnerable to diseases. Other seabirds affected include southern giant petrels, kelp gulls, pictured here, and brown skuas

The researchers found salmonella typically found in scavenging birds associated with urban areas and antibiotic resistant strains in the droppings leaving them vulnerable to diseases. Other seabirds affected include southern giant petrels, kelp gulls, pictured here, and brown skuas

Until now Antarctica had been the only continent where such transmission had not been documented.

'Stricter biosecurity measures are needed to limit human impacts in Antarctica,' the study said. 

Professor González-Solís noted that it is possible that these birds picked up bacteria from domestic poultry in settlements such as the Falklands. 

Other possible sources include tourist cruises and scientific research outposts.

Tourists are advised to sanitise their footwear when they visit Antarctica to help combat the chance to spreading disease.  

The full findings of the study were published in the journal Science of the Total Environment.  

Campylobacter jejuni, a bacterium found in food and one of the most common cause of food poisoning in Europe and the United States, was found in the droppings. They also found a form of gastrointestinal bacterium which was resistant to antibiotics (stock image)

Campylobacter jejuni, a bacterium found in food and one of the most common cause of food poisoning in Europe and the United States, was found in the droppings. They also found a form of gastrointestinal bacterium which was resistant to antibiotics (stock image)

ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE IS ACCELERATED BY THE MISUSE OF ANTIBIOTICS AND POOR INFECTION PREVENTION

Antibiotic resistance is accelerated by the misuse and overuse of antibiotics, as well as poor infection prevention and control. 

Steps can be taken at all levels of society to reduce the impact and limit the spread of resistance.

Individuals can: 

  • Only use antibiotics when prescribed by a certified health professional
  • Never demand antibiotics if your health worker says you don’t need them
  • Always follow your health worker’s advice when using antibiotics
  • Never share or use leftover antibiotics
  • Prevent infections by regularly washing hands, preparing food hygienically, avoiding close contact with sick people, practising safer sex, and keeping vaccinations up to date
  • Prepare food hygienically, following the WHO Five Keys to Safer Food (keep clean, separate raw and cooked, cook thoroughly, keep food at safe temperatures, use safe water and raw materials) and choose foods that have been produced without the use of antibiotics for growth promotion or disease prevention in healthy animals

Source: World Health Organisation

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