Highly pathogenic avian influenza causes mass mortality in Sandwich tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis) breeding colonies across northwestern Europe

Ulrich Knief, Thomas Bregnballe, Ibrahim Alfarwi, Monika Ballmann, Allix Brenninkmeijer, Szymon Bzoma, Antoine Chabrolle, Jannis Dimmlich, Elias Engel, Waardenburg Ecology, Kim Fischer, Bernd Hälterlein, Matthias Haupt, Veit Hennig, Christof Herrmann, Ronald in 't Veld, Elisabeth Kirchhoff, Mikael Kirstersson, S. Kuhn, Kjell LarssonRolf Larsson, Neil Lawton, M.F. Leopold, Sander Lilipaly, Leigh Lock, Regis Marty, Hans Matheve, Wlodzimierz Meissner, Paul Morisson, Stephan Newton, Patrik Olofsson, Florian Packmor, Kjeld T. Pedersen, Chris Redfern, Francesco Scarton, Fred Schenk, Olivier Scher, Lorenzo Serra, Julian Smith, Wez Smith, Jacob Sterup, Eric Stienen, Viola Strassner, Roberto G. Valle, R.S.A. van Bemmelen, Jan Veen, Muriel Vervaeke, Ewan Weston, Monika Wojcieszek, Research Forest

Research output: Working paperPreprint

Abstract

In 2022, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus clade 2.3.4.4b became enzootic and caused mass mortality in Sandwich terns and other seabird species across northwestern Europe. We present data on characteristics of the spread of the virus between breeding colonies and the number of dead adult Sandwich terns recorded at breeding sites throughout northwestern Europe. Within two months after the first mortalities were reported, in total 20,531 adult Sandwich terns were found dead, which is >17% of the total northwestern European breeding population. Losses are likely higher, as we expect that many victims were not found (mortality rate might be up to 74% of the breeding population). Inside the colonies almost all chicks died. After the peak of the outbreak, in a colony established by late breeders, 25.7% of adults showed immunity against HPAI subtype H5. Removal of carcasses helped in reducing the spread of the disease and consequently total mortality. More research on the sources and modes of transmission, incubation times, effective containment and immunity is urgently needed to combat this major threat for colonial seabirds.
Original languageEnglish
PublisherBioRxiv
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Highly pathogenic avian influenza causes mass mortality in Sandwich tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis) breeding colonies across northwestern Europe'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this