British scientists say they have discovered bird flu in mammals near Antarctica for the first time. The pathogen was found in elephant seals and fur seals.
The Animal Plant Health Agency (Apha) tested animals on South Georgia Island for the H5N1 virus after several brown hunters were found dead there in October.
Virus introduced from South America by migratory birds
The virus was likely introduced by migratory birds from South America and has since spread to seals and other bird species on the island.
The scientists also discovered the virus in Dominican gulls (Larus dominicanus) and Antarctic terns (Sterna vittata). However, tests on albatrosses and giant petrels on Bird Island near South Georgia were negative. There are also no reports of above-average death rates for penguins.
A spread of bird flu in the region poses a risk to large populations of seabirds and marine mammals.
Cases are also found in mink, seals and otters
This is not the first time that bird flu has been diagnosed in mammals. Only recently did experts in Northern Alaska discover the bird flu virus in a dead polar bear. Cases had previously been reported in seals in Europe and America, as well as in mink in northern Spain and in foxes and otters in England.
Source: Krone
I am an experienced and passionate journalist with a strong track record in news website reporting. I specialize in technology coverage, breaking stories on the latest developments and trends from around the world. Working for Today Times Live has given me the opportunity to write thought-provoking pieces that have caught the attention of many readers.
