Diagnosis of Diseases and Identification of Infectious Agents that Affect Antarctic Birds. Project No. 48 2002-2004

The recent discoveries of certain diseases in Antarctica have created concern for the future of Antarctic wildlife. Introduced microorganisms may have severe negative consequences for inmunologically native wildlife and novel epidemics may be especially disastrous for rare or endangered species.

The study of the diseases which affect Antarctic migratory birds has been an area of great interest for numerous scientists. The possibility of introduction of several diseases on antarctic fauna is an important subject considered by the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting. There has been an increase in the movement of people to and within Antarctica; tourist and expeditioner numbers have been increasing in recent years and air travel quickly takes people, equipment and food to distant localities.