Avian Influenza heading to Antarctica

AAAS: "Lethal bird flu approaches Antarctica," For the first time, a virulent strain of avian influenza has been documented close to the great land mass. On October 7th British scientists noted dead brown skuas on Bird Island in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.The H5N1 virus was presumably carried by migratory birds returning from South America, which has been hard hit. "South Georgia’s government has banned visitors to the small island, which is less than 5 kilometers long, but research on the bird and seal colonies will continue." Bird Island is one of the 'most closely monitored seabird and seal colonies in the world,' so ongoing studies will be able to monitor how impactful the disease will be. "Scientists are also monitoring to detect the virus’ expected move to the Antarctic continent, home to much larger wildlife populations." The photo is of a brown skua nest above what looks like a large penguin colony.