First in History: A Polar Bear Died from Bird Flu

In 2021, a new bird flu epidemic broke out in the world. This epidemic spread all the way to Alaska It seems to have arrived. Bob Gerlach, Alaska state veterinarian First polar bear death due to bird flu announced that it was recorded. to Gerlach This may be why more polar bears died in more remote areas.

It is estimated that the disease was transmitted from a bird corpse.

A highly contagious virus of HSN It is thought that the polar bear that died due to bird flu contracted the disease after eating the corpse of a bird infected with the virus. State veterinarian for fatality announced by Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation in December Bob Gerlach““This is the first polar bear death reported anywhere.” said.

The newest variant of the virus emerged about two months ago in north america was also detected. The unfortunate polar bear was found near Utqiagvik, one of the northernmost communities in Alaska. Gerlach in remote areas with very low human density more polar bears He states that he may have been affected by this epidemic.

The epidemic has been going on for 3 years.

past In a 3 year period Millions of wild birds and mammals worldwide are thought to have died due to the epidemic. Emeritus Professor of Conservation Biology at the University of East Anglia, who made statements about the virus Diana Bell, Stating that animals such as bald eagles and foxes also lost their lives due to bird flu, “The epidemic It was in Alaska; “Now mammals high in the Arctic Circle… It’s terrible.” he said.

The first H5N1 cases detected in the Antarctic region, in October 2023 It happened on Bird Island. Brown skua birds were first affected by this epidemic, and then hundreds of seals that caught the disease from the birds were found dead.