First case of bird flu detected in the Arctic

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

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."

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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

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