Bird Flu Strain Could Push Several Antarctic Species to the Brink of Extinction
With great concern, Chilean scientist Víctor Neira warned that the lethal H5N1 avian influenza virus has completely spread throughout the Antarctic region, stating that "this disease is capable of killing 100% of birds in short periods of time. For example, in one or two days it can kill 90% or 100% of the animals in a location."
TL;DR
- The H5N1 avian influenza virus has completely spread throughout the Antarctic region.
- The virus can kill 90-100% of birds within one to two days.
- This rapid spread could push species with small global populations towards extinction.
- Infected animals have been detected on 900 kilometers of the western Antarctic coast.
- At least ten species have been found infected, including skuas, Antarctic cormorants, Dominican gulls, Antarctic fur seals, and Adélie and Gentoo penguins.
- The initial documentation of the virus in Antarctica began in April 2024 with infected skuas.
- This Antarctic outbreak is part of a larger global wave affecting mammals and birds since 2021.
- In 2023, avian flu caused the deaths of approximately 1,300 Humboldt penguins in Chile, representing 10% of the country's total population.