First case of bird flu detected in the Arctic
June 24, 2022, 7:03 pm

First case of bird flu detected in the Arctic

Avian influenza refers to disease in birds caused by infection with avian (bird) influenza (flu) Type A viruses - Pic. Pixabay

Norwegian authorities have discovered the first case of bird flu in Svalbard, about 1,000 kilometres from the North Pole, sparking concern the virus could spread to other avian populations in the remote region.

The governor's office said in a statement Thursday (June 23), the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) was detected this month in a polar seagull found dead in the archipelago's capital Longyearbyen.

An official at the Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Knut Madslien, said in the statement: "The detection of the HPAI is worrying because a range of the vulnerable wild bird populations lay eggs and brood in the archipelago in the summer."

He added: "The species that gather on cliffs will be particularly exposed if bird flu is introduced into the bird colonies."

First human case of H5 bird flu confirmed in US state of Colorado

The governor's office said the Veterinary Institute believed it was "the first time the virus has been detected in the Arctic".

Svalbard (Spitzberg) is located halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole, from which it is about 1,000 kilometres (620 miles).

Cases of bird flu had been earlier identified in northern Europe, including beyond the Arctic Circle, but until now never in such northern latitudes.

Source: barrons

Vladimir Putin accuses Western countries of destabilising global agricultural production Boris Johnson announces over $454M for global food security

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”