Health Surveillance of Penguins in the Barton Peninsula on King George Island, Antarctica

Abstract

Samples from 29 adult Gentoo (Pygoscelis papua), Chinstrap (Pygoscelis antarcticus), and Adelie Penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) at the King Sejong Station on Narebski Point, King George Island, Antarctica, were investigated to detect antibodies to avian influenza, Newcastle disease virus, infectious bursal disease virus, infectious bronchitis virus, Mycoplasma, and Salmonella. Antibodies were identified from one Gentoo Penguin and one Chinstrap Penguin against infectious bronchitis virus; from one Gentoo Penguin against Newcastle disease virus; from one Gentoo Penguin against Mycoplasma synoviae; and from two Chinstrap Penguins against Salmonella pullorum. Thirty-three dead penguin chicks were collected from the breeding colony for necropsy, histopathological examination, and polymerase chain reaction. Pulmonary hemorrhage and congestion were the main necropsy findings.