Experts raise alarm as a deadly outbreak of the H5N1 bird flu strain has been reported among penguins in the Antarctic, marking the first time this highly lethal virus has been detected in the species. The Falkland Islands' Department of Agriculture confirmed the virus in gentoo penguins after finding several dead. The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research expressed concerns about the potential spread of the virus to large penguin colonies in Antarctica. Researchers have found about 35 penguins dead in the Falkland Islands, with samples from two of the dead penguins testing positive for H5N1. There is also an alarming report of hundreds of penguin chicks dying from the virus, with millions more at risk, indicating the possibility of a large-scale outbreak. Phoeb0 and Harrietmbarber report the latest developments on this concerning situation.
Hundreds of penguin chicks die of bird flu in Falklands, millions more at risk. Scientists are now preparing for ‘a large-scale outbreak’ of the virus, which has already killed millions of birds in the last two years. @Harrietmbarber has the latest 🐧 https://t.co/aVAXUxXnD9
A deadly strain of bird flu has hit gentoo penguins for the first time. Researchers found about 35 penguins dead in the Falkland Islands. Samples taken from two of the dead penguins came back positive for the H5N1 avian influenza virus https://t.co/VY8EOqPeTW https://t.co/2Pz8wR6P8S
A deadly type of bird flu has been found in gentoo penguins for the first time, according to the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, stoking concern that the virus could spread among Antarctica's huge penguin colonies https://t.co/VY8EOqPeTW https://t.co/i0WE0rpuOQ
First Bird Flu Deaths Reported in Antarctic Penguins https://t.co/UJ1zr9VnJ9
Antarctic penguins are now dying from the H5N1 strain of bird flu https://t.co/ox6NqJpEIA
A deadly type of bird flu has been found in gentoo penguins for the first time, according to the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, stoking concern that the virus could spread to Antarctic penguin colonies https://t.co/Bs0TnEqOpQ https://t.co/YBSDnl14aL
A highly lethal form of bird flu has been detected in Antarctic penguins for the first time. The virus was confirmed in a few gentoo penguins that were found dead in the Falkland Islands, according to the British territory’s Department of Agriculture. https://t.co/K3Er2JIN1X
First Penguins Die In Antarctic Of Deadly H5N1 Bird Flu Strain, Experts Raise Alarm https://t.co/32JNVjRHWA https://t.co/N0MVz5syHv
First penguins die in Antarctic of deadly H5N1 bird flu strain https://t.co/1qOHH6sNDf
First penguins die in Antarctic of deadly H5N1 bird flu strain @phoeb0 reports https://t.co/cZLABTwVVr
Poop stains reveal four previously unknown Emperor penguin colonies https://t.co/LKL6EgpZbY
Scientists say previously unknown colonies of emperor penguins have been discovered in Antarctica through satellite imagery. https://t.co/Ui5aGq6PYg
Poop stains are rarely cause for celebration. But they are the reason Antarctic researchers have been able to identify four new colonies of emperor penguins — a species threatened with extinction by climate change. https://t.co/NHn4SLiuhv