In December, Antarctica lost its status as the last continent free of Covid-19 when 36 people at the Chilean Bernardo O’Higgins research station tested positive. The station’s isolation from other bases and fewer researchers in the continent means the outbreak is now likely contained.
However, we know all too well how unpredictable – and pervasive – the virus can be. And while there is currently less risk for humans in Antarctica, the potential for the Covid-19 virus to jump to Antarctica’s unique and already vulnerable wildlife has scientists extremely concerned.
We are among a global team of 15 scientists who assessed the risks of the Covid-19 virus to Antarctic wildlife, and the pathways the virus could take into the fragile ecosystem. Antarctic wildlife have not yet been tested for the Covid-19 virus, and if it does make its way into these charismatic animals, we do not know how it could affect them or the continent’s ecosystem stability.
