Diseases and parasites in Antarctic fauna
Wedell seal with satellite tracker
Antarctic and subantarctic wildlife carry a number of parasites and infectious diseases which can infect humans including ticks, fleas, mites, lice, worms, viruses and bacteria.
Photo: A. Hull
Since the inception of Australia's Antarctic programme, very few cases of human diseases have resulted from interactions with seals, fish, penguins or other birds.A skin lesion diagnosed as Parapox virus, presumably transmitted from seals, has been recorded at MacquarieIsland.
Biologists bitten by seals often require treatment with specially indicated antibiotics.The Antarctic medical practitioners have a comprehensive drug kit, but diagnostic facilities for most of these parasites and diseases are inevitably limited.
You should be aware of the occurrence of diseases and parasites in the fauna and perform routine practices of hygiene when working with such fauna.
Similarly, you should be aware that the outbreak of disease in populations of animals in the Antarctic is a very unusual occurrence.It is important to human health as well as that of the wildlife that you report immediately any outbreak or suspicion of disease in wildlife.
