BUENOS AIRES, Argentina: Scientists have warned that a deadly type of bird flu is confirmed on the mainland of Antarctica for the first time, posing a potential threat for the region’s huge penguin population.
Argentina’s Higher Council for Scientific Investigation (CSIC) on Monday said the discovery shows that the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus has reached Antarctica despite natural barriers and long distance that separate it from other continents of the world.
CSIC added the the virus was confirmed on February 24, and noted in samples of dead skua seabirds, which were found by scientists near the base of Primavera.
The case confirmed on the Antarctic peninsula, poses the risk to penguin colonies in the region. The H5N1 avian flu has annihilated bird populations around the world in recent months.
CSIC said in a statement said that analysis by the experts has shown that the birds were infected with the H5 subtype of avian influenza and at least one of the dead birds had the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus.
Hundreds of thousands of penguins live in packed colonies on the Antarctic continent and nearby islands.
Data from the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research also shows a now-confirmed case at the research base of Argentina.
