A young polar bear and an adult walrus found dead in the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard have tested positive for bird flu, marking the first confirmed case of avian influenza in a polar bear in Europe.
Image used for illustrative purposes/Sergio Pérez Mateo/Unsplash
According to NewsinEnglish, the animals were discovered earlier this month in Raudfjord, a remote area of Svalbard, by tour guides who alerted Norwegian authorities after noticing unusual behaviour among nearby wildlife. According to Norway’s Veterinary Institute, the polar bear who was estimated to be about a year old and the walrus both carried the H5N5 strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza.
Researchers were particularly concerned after guides reported seeing two additional polar bears limping and struggling with their hind legs, symptoms that may indicate neurological complications linked to infection. Veterinary teams travelled to the area by helicopter to collect samples and assess the wider situation.
While bird flu has circulated among seabirds in the Arctic before, scientists say infections in mammals are becoming more common across Europe. The virus has previously been detected in Arctic foxes, otters, red foxes and walruses in the region, but the confirmed infection of a polar bear represents a significant development.
Svalbard, a Norwegian-controlled archipelago located between mainland Norway and the North Pole, is home to one of the Arctic’s most vulnerable ecosystems. The islands support populations of polar bears, walruses, seabirds and Arctic foxes, many of which already face mounting pressure from climate change and shrinking sea ice.
Scientists are now investigating whether the virus detected in the animals shows signs of adapting to mammals — a development closely monitored worldwide as avian influenza continues spreading across continents.
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