Bird Flu Found in Penguins Near Antarctica, 200 Chicks Dead

Bird Flu Found in Penguins Near Antarctica, 200 Chicks Dead
A group of gentoo penguins walk along Quentin Point, Anvers Island, Antarctica, on Feb. 4, 2020. Ueslei Marcelino/Reuters
Reuters
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A deadly type of bird flu has been found in gentoo penguins for the first time, according to the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), stoking concern that the virus could spread among Antarctica’s huge penguin colonies.

Researchers found about 35 penguins dead in the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic on Jan. 19. Samples taken from two of the dead penguins came back positive for the H5N1 avian influenza virus, said Ralph Vanstreels, a veterinarian who works with SCAR.