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Arctic Wildlife Succumbs to Bird Flu Outbreak
19 May
Summary
- Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus is spreading to mammals.
- The Arctic is experiencing a new wave of avian influenza detection.
- Vulnerable polar bears are being infected with bird flu.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is exhibiting a concerning trend of increasing detection in mammals across Europe, as confirmed by the Norwegian Veterinary Institute. This escalating spread has now reached the Arctic, a region previously less impacted, raising alarms for its unique and vulnerable ecosystems and animal populations.
Recent findings include avian influenza in a deceased walrus from the Arctic region and, in December 2023, a polar bear in Alaska infected with the H5N1 subtype. The institute is actively investigating whether the detected virus strains are adapting to mammalian hosts, noting that mammals can contract avian flu through direct contact with infected birds or other animals.
Globally, HPAI has already led to widespread devastation in poultry populations, disrupting food supplies and increasing prices. The virus's expansion into new territories like the Arctic and Antarctica, where it has been found in seals and seabirds, underscores the growing challenge of containing its proliferation and the potential risks it poses.
