{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1946921,
        "msgid": "australia-to-evacuate-scientists-from-sub-antarctic-island-1787961086",
        "date": "2026-08-29 05:55:09",
        "title": "Australia to evacuate scientists from sub-Antarctic island",
        "author": "",
        "source": "ANTARA_ID",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Environment",
        "summary": "Australia will temporarily withdraw staff from its Macquarie Island research station due to the psychosocial risks posed by a potential H5N1 bird flu outbreak. The island hosts up to 100,000 seals and millions of seabirds, including over 850,000 endemic royal penguin breeding pairs. The RSV Nuyina will collect 24 scientists and support staff in late September or early October.",
        "content": "<p>The Australian government said on Friday (28\/8) it will evacuate\nscientists from a sub-Antarctic island because of the \u201cpsychosocial\nrisk\u201d from a potential outbreak of H5N1 bird flu.<\/p>\n<p>The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water\n(DCCEEW) said it will temporarily withdraw staff from the Australian\nAntarctic Program research station on Macquarie Island, a remote\nAustralian territory located about 2,000 km southeast of the\nmainland.<\/p>\n<p>DCCEEW said the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu strain has not yet\nbeen detected on the island, but experts expect a significant mortality\nevent is likely to occur during the coming breeding season.<\/p>\n<p>The island, which was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for\nits outstanding universal value in 1997, is home to up to 100,000 seals\nand millions of seabirds, including more than 850,000 breeding pairs of\nendemic royal penguins, at various times throughout the year.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is an unusual step, but it is the most appropriate action based\non our assessment of the risks and operational conditions,\u201d DCCEEW\nDeputy Secretary Sean Sullivan said in a statement.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhile the risk of H5 bird flu to humans is considered low, we cannot\nignore the psychosocial risk of living in close proximity to large\nnumbers of potentially infected animals.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The department said the Australian Antarctic Program\u2019s primary supply\nand research vessel, RSV Nuyina, will travel to the island in late\nSeptember or early October to collect 24 scientists, skilled workers and\nsupport staff, as well as transport essential cargo.<\/p>\n<p>A number of options for monitoring the situation on the island are\nbeing considered, and Sullivan said Australia remains committed to\nmaintaining a long-term presence on Macquarie Island.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/australia-to-evacuate-scientists-from-sub-antarctic-island-1787961086",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}