Just want to point out that surveillance is not the same as "we found infected birds". SARS-COVID-2 is a Beta corona virus, and so far we have only seen Gama and Delta corona virus's in birds of any type. The Arctic Terns are more closely watched because they migrate from more temperate climates where people do live, into areas of very low human density but with otherwise isolated wildlife. Something to read:In some ways, it can be looked at as a mild factor in evolution pressure. But there are other ways to achieve a degree of immunity within a population without killing off the weak susceptible which was a factor in smallpox and milkmaids. While cowpox offered immunity to dairy farmers it is estimated to have significantly contributed to the decline of the Native American population (some estimates a 95% population decrease following the introduction from European explorers). So isolating populations into cells come with its own risks combined with the reality that a significant portion of the more deadly viruses is zoonotic (jumping from non-human animal to humans). There have been a number of studies performed following the seasonal migration of birds and the spread of the seasonal flu along the eastern seaboard of the USA. Another study tracked the spread of the West Nile virus and it's being spread by Arctic Terns which are included in another study of Influenza A of spreading viruses inter-hemispheric (There is an ongoing risk assessment of Arctic terns becoming carriers of Covid19). While human to human transmission of viruses is far more prevalent nature is very good at spreading viruses around even without air travel.
Risk assessment of SARS-CoV-2 in Antarctic wildlife
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This pathogen has spre…
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