Dozens of Australians evacuated from research station over bird flu fears
Two dozen researchers will be evacuated from a remote Australian island due to fears about the deadly H5 bird flu strain reaching the area.
The federal government’s Antarctic Division announced on Friday morning that all 24 expeditioners will be pulled out from the research station on Macquarie Island.
There is a significant elephant seal population at Macquarie Island. Greg Stone
The deadly H5 strain is yet to reach the island, and the department said the move was not due to concerns about the physical wellbeing of staff, but instead about the psychological risk posed by a potential outbreak.
“This is an unusual measure, but is the most appropriate course of action, based on our assessments of risk, and operational realities,” Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water secretary Sean Sullivan said.
“Our first priority is the health and safety of our expeditioners.
“While the risk to humans of H5 bird flu is considered low, we can’t ignore the psychosocial risks of living near potentially large numbers of affected animals.
“Our expeditioners already live and work in one of the world’s most remote and challenging environments.
“It is important that we minimise any additional risks that could affect the wellbeing of our people and the safe operation of our stations.”
An ice breaking vessel, the RSV Nuyina, will retrieve staff and some essential equipment in early October.
Macquarie Island is a remote Australian territory, located about 1500km south-east of Tasmania – roughly halfway to Antarctica.
The research station there was established in 1948.
While the H5 strain of bird flu is yet to be detected on the island, it has reached other sub-Antarctic remote territories – such as the uninhabited Heard Island, where thousands of seals were killed by the virus – and the mainland.
It was first detected on the mainland in migratory seabirds in Western Australia, but has since reached all other states, and in the first case of it spreading to local mammals, has infected fur seals in South Australia.
The island is extremely remote, located roughly halfway between Tasmania and Antarctica. Greg Stone
There is a significant population of already-vulnerable elephant seals on Macquarie Island living close to research buildings.
More than 13,000 southern elephant seal pups were killed by the virus on Heard, and the government has assessed there is a significant risk of a “significant mortality event” in the population on Macquarie Island during the upcoming breeding season.
“We’ve seen what this disease can do, based on our experience at Heard Island and McDonald Islands,” Sullivan said.
There is other local wildlife on Macquarie Island, including king penguins. Greg Stone
“Given the risks to our expeditioners, and to minimise risks across the whole Antarctic Program, we consider it necessary to make this decision in advance of any significant wildlife mortality event.
“Macquarie Island is unique in that thousands of elephant seal pups are born close to the station every spring.
“No other Australian Antarctic station is in this position, and there are no elephant seal colonies on mainland Australia.”
The government says it will look into options for monitoring the situation on Macquarie Island after its researchers are evacuated, with a view to returning staff to the territory in the future.
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
Most viewed in Australia
‘Unimaginable loss’: Two children killed in horror crash on the way home from school
Talia and Ebony were physically abused by their mother. Then she was made into a TV star
Blanche d’Alpuget, writer and widow of Bob Hawke, dies aged 82
Justine lost her brother suddenly. Then an unexpected email arrived
