High pathogenicity avian influenza (H5N1) in Northern Gannets (Morus bassanus): Global spread, clinical signs and demographic consequences
Authors: Lane Jude V. , Jeglinski Jana W.E. , Avery‐Gomm Stephanie , Ballstaedt Elmar , Banyard Ashley C. , Barychka Tatsiana , Brown Ian H. , Brugger Brigitte , Burt Tori V. , Careen Noah , Castenschiold Johan H.F. , Christensen‐Dalsgaard Signe , Clifford Shannon , Collins Sydney M. , Cunningham Emma , Danielsen Jóhannis , Daunt Francis , D'entremont Kyle J.N. , Doiron Parker , Duffy Steven , English Matthew D. , Falchieri Marco , Giacinti Jolene , Gjerset Britt , Granstad Silje , Grémillet David , Guillemette Magella , Hallgrímsson Gunnar T. , Hamer Keith C. , Hammer Sjúrður , Harrison Katherine , Hart Justin D. , Hatsell Ciaran , Humpidge Richard , James Joe , Jenkinson Audrey , Jessopp Mark , Jones Megan E.B. , Lair Stéphane , Lewis Thomas , Malinowska Alexandra A. , McCluskie Aly , McPhail Gretchen , Moe Børge , Montevecchi William A. , Morgan Greg , Nichol Caroline , Nisbet Craig , Olsen Bergur , Provencher Jennifer , Provost Pascal , Purdie Alex , Rail Jean‐François , Robertson Greg , Seyer Yannick , Sheddan Maggie , Soos Catherine , Stephens Nia , Strøm Hallvard , Svansson Vilhjálmur , Tierney T. David , Tyler Glen , Wade Tom , Wanless Sarah , Ward Christopher R.E. , Wilhelm Sabina I. , Wischnewski Saskia , Wright Lucy J. , Zonfrillo Bernie , Matthiopoulos Jason , Votier Stephen C. 
Published: September 2023

During 2021 and 2022 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) killed thousands of wild birds across Europe and North America, suggesting a change in infection dynamics and a shift to new hosts, including seabirds. Northern Gannets Morus bassanus appeared to be especially severely impacted, but a detailed account of the data available is required to help understand how the HPAI virus (HPAIV) spread across the meta‐population, and the ensuing demographic consequences. Accordingly, we analyse information on confirmed and suspected HPAIV outbreaks across most North Atlantic Gannet colonies and, for the largest colony (Bass Rock, UK), provide impacts on population size, breeding success, and preliminary results on apparent adult survival and serology. Unusually high numbers of dead Gannets were first noted at colonies in Iceland during April 2022. Outbreaks in May occurred in many Scottish colonies, followed by colonies in Canada, Germany and Norway. By the end of June, outbreaks had occurred in colonies in Canada and the English Channel. Outbreaks in 12 UK and Ireland colonies appeared to follow a clockwise pattern with the last infected colonies recorded in late August/September. Unusually high mortality was recorded at 40 colonies (75% of global total colonies). Dead birds testing positive for HPAIV H5N1 were associated with 58% of these colonies. At Bass Rock, the number of occupied nest‐sites decreased by at least 71%, breeding success declined by c. 66% compared with the long‐term UK mean and the resighting of marked individuals suggested that apparent adult survival between 2021 and 2022 could have been substantially lower than the preceding 10‐year average. Serological investigation detected antibodies specific to H5 in apparently healthy birds, indicating that some Gannets recover from HPAIV infection. Further, most of these recovered birds had black irises, suggestive of a phenotypic indicator of previous infection. Untangling the impacts of HPAIV infection from other challenges faced by seabirds is key to establishing effective conservation strategies for threatened seabird populations as the likelihood of further epizootics increases, due to increasing habitat loss and the industrialization of poultry production.