It has been confirmed that for the first time in the world, a polar bear has died due to the highly contagious H5N1 bird flu. According to a report by The Guardian, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation confirmed that a polar bear lost its life due to the new bird flu outbreak that began in 2021. Dr. Bob Gerlach, the state veterinarian for Alaska, stated in his announcement, "This is the first reported case of a polar bear." Gerlach noted that the polar bear may have consumed the carcasses of birds infected with the virus. The polar bear was found dead near Utqiagvik in northern Alaska, two years after the latest strain of the virus was detected in North America. Polar bears are listed as "vulnerable" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species.
ALARM RAISED FOR PENGUINS
In the Antarctic region, the first known H5N1 case was detected in October 2023 on Bird Island off the coast of South Georgia. The virus, which was seen in water birds, has also spread to other animals. Two months later, hundreds of elephant seals were found dead. Scientists warn that if the highly contagious virus reaches remote penguin populations, it could cause 'one of the greatest ecological disasters of modern times'.
News Source: 12punto
