The IPBES Bureau and Multidisciplinary Expert Panel (MEP) authorized a workshop on biodiversity a... more The IPBES Bureau and Multidisciplinary Expert Panel (MEP) authorized a workshop on biodiversity and pandemics that was held virtually on 27-31 July 2020 in accordance with the provisions on "Platform workshops" in support of Plenary-approved activities, set out in section 6.1 of the procedures for the preparation of Platform deliverables (IPBES-3/3, annexe I). This workshop report and any recommendations or conclusions contained therein have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by the IPBES Plenary. The workshop report is considered supporting material available to authors in the preparation of ongoing or future IPBES assessments. While undergoing a scientific peer-review, this material has not been subjected to formal IPBES review processes. <strong>Workshop report:</strong> "<em>IPBES Pandemics Workshop Report 20201029 v1.1.pdf</em>"<br> This workshop report is released in a non-laid out format. It will undergo minor editing bef...
Emerging infectious diseases that progress to pandemics are becoming recurrent, causing serious i... more Emerging infectious diseases that progress to pandemics are becoming recurrent, causing serious impacts that exceed our health and well-being. Despite its unheard of magnitude, the COVID-19 pandemic is just one more in a long list of severe events that have stricken humanity in recent decades (HIV-AIDS, Ebola, Nipah, Hendra, SARS, Zika, H1N1 influenza, etc.) (1). Far from downplaying its importance, this magnifies it, given that even with repeated warnings we have failed to recognize the underlying problems and act accordingly, in advance. Most recent human emerging infectious diseases are of animal origin, and in many cases linked to wildlife (1, 2). These emerging zoonoses are associated with land use change (e.g., deforestation for agriculture), the expansion and intensification of food-animal production (e.g., industrial-scale swine and poultry), and the use and consumption of wildlife (e.g., Asian exotic species markets) (2). All these activities are promoted by our growing con...
The presence of essential (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni and Al) and non-essential trace metals (Cd and Pb) ... more The presence of essential (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni and Al) and non-essential trace metals (Cd and Pb) was tested in liver (N=26) and kidney (N=42) from dead Southern Right Whale (SRW--Eubalaena australis) calves found beached in Península Valdés, Argentina. Essential metals were detected in all samples, particularly in hepatic tissue; though Ni and Al were accumulated mainly in the kidney. Cd and Pb were not detected in any samples. Sex and length of calves did not influence metal levels found, nor did the geographic location of carcasses. Our findings for essential metals were similar to those reported for mysticetes in other parts of the world. Except for a previous report on one SRW calf, this is the first data on trace metals for this species in Patagonia. This information is vital for SRW management considering increasing human pressures impacting their feeding and breeding grounds.
ABSTRACTHighly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A/H5N1 viruses (lineage 2.3.4.4b) are rapidly in... more ABSTRACTHighly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A/H5N1 viruses (lineage 2.3.4.4b) are rapidly invading the Americas, threatening wildlife, poultry, and potentially evolving into the next global pandemic. In November 2022, HPAI arrived in Peru, where massive pelican and sea lion die-offs are still underway. We report complete genomic characterization of HPAI/H5N1 viruses in five species of marine mammals and seabirds (dolphins, sea lions, sanderlings, pelicans and cormorants) sampled since November 2022. All Peruvian viruses belong to the HPAI A/H5N1 lineage 2.3.4.4b, but they are 4:4 reassortants where 4 genomic segments (PA, HA, NA and MP) position within the Eurasian lineage that initially entered North America from Eurasia, while the other 4 genomic segments (PB2, PB1, NP and NS) position within the American lineage (clade C) that was already circulating in North America. These viruses are rapidly accruing mutations as they spread south. Peruvian viruses do not contain PB2 E627K...
The IPBES Bureau and Multidisciplinary Expert Panel (MEP) authorized a workshop on biodiversity a... more The IPBES Bureau and Multidisciplinary Expert Panel (MEP) authorized a workshop on biodiversity and pandemics that was held virtually on 27-31 July 2020 in accordance with the provisions on "Platform workshops" in support of Plenary-approved activities, set out in section 6.1 of the procedures for the preparation of Platform deliverables (IPBES-3/3, annexe I). This workshop report and any recommendations or conclusions contained therein have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by the IPBES Plenary. The workshop report is considered supporting material available to authors in the preparation of ongoing or future IPBES assessments. While undergoing a scientific peer-review, this material has not been subjected to formal IPBES review processes. <strong>Workshop report:</strong> "<em>IPBES Pandemics Workshop Report 20201029 v1.1.pdf</em>"<br> This workshop report is released in a non-laid out format. It will undergo minor editing bef...
Emerging infectious diseases that progress to pandemics are becoming recurrent, causing serious i... more Emerging infectious diseases that progress to pandemics are becoming recurrent, causing serious impacts that exceed our health and well-being. Despite its unheard of magnitude, the COVID-19 pandemic is just one more in a long list of severe events that have stricken humanity in recent decades (HIV-AIDS, Ebola, Nipah, Hendra, SARS, Zika, H1N1 influenza, etc.) (1). Far from downplaying its importance, this magnifies it, given that even with repeated warnings we have failed to recognize the underlying problems and act accordingly, in advance. Most recent human emerging infectious diseases are of animal origin, and in many cases linked to wildlife (1, 2). These emerging zoonoses are associated with land use change (e.g., deforestation for agriculture), the expansion and intensification of food-animal production (e.g., industrial-scale swine and poultry), and the use and consumption of wildlife (e.g., Asian exotic species markets) (2). All these activities are promoted by our growing con...
The presence of essential (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni and Al) and non-essential trace metals (Cd and Pb) ... more The presence of essential (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni and Al) and non-essential trace metals (Cd and Pb) was tested in liver (N=26) and kidney (N=42) from dead Southern Right Whale (SRW--Eubalaena australis) calves found beached in Península Valdés, Argentina. Essential metals were detected in all samples, particularly in hepatic tissue; though Ni and Al were accumulated mainly in the kidney. Cd and Pb were not detected in any samples. Sex and length of calves did not influence metal levels found, nor did the geographic location of carcasses. Our findings for essential metals were similar to those reported for mysticetes in other parts of the world. Except for a previous report on one SRW calf, this is the first data on trace metals for this species in Patagonia. This information is vital for SRW management considering increasing human pressures impacting their feeding and breeding grounds.
ABSTRACTHighly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A/H5N1 viruses (lineage 2.3.4.4b) are rapidly in... more ABSTRACTHighly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A/H5N1 viruses (lineage 2.3.4.4b) are rapidly invading the Americas, threatening wildlife, poultry, and potentially evolving into the next global pandemic. In November 2022, HPAI arrived in Peru, where massive pelican and sea lion die-offs are still underway. We report complete genomic characterization of HPAI/H5N1 viruses in five species of marine mammals and seabirds (dolphins, sea lions, sanderlings, pelicans and cormorants) sampled since November 2022. All Peruvian viruses belong to the HPAI A/H5N1 lineage 2.3.4.4b, but they are 4:4 reassortants where 4 genomic segments (PA, HA, NA and MP) position within the Eurasian lineage that initially entered North America from Eurasia, while the other 4 genomic segments (PB2, PB1, NP and NS) position within the American lineage (clade C) that was already circulating in North America. These viruses are rapidly accruing mutations as they spread south. Peruvian viruses do not contain PB2 E627K...
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