Bird Flu Strikes Antarctic Penguins For First Time

‘Catastrophic’: The highly lethal H5N1 bird flu virus has been identified in Antarctic penguins for the first time. The virus was confirmed in deceased gentoo penguins in the Falkland Islands, with additional cases reported in the same region. A suspected case has also been noted in king penguins in South Georgia. Penguins are already facing various threats such as climate change and pollution. However, this new threat is more damning as the lack of prior exposure to such pathogens makes them susceptible to it. Breeding in densely populated colonies has raised concerns about the rapid spread of the virus, potentially causing significant mortality. Scientists had previously expressed worry about the virus reaching Antarctica, emphasizing the potentially catastrophic impact on its wildlife.