First Bird Flu Deaths Reported In Antarctic Penguins - The New York Times

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Dead gentoo penguins tested positive for the virus, and at least one suspected case has been reported in king penguins.

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A highly lethal form of bird flu has been detected in Antarctic penguins for the first time. The virus, which is known as H5N1, was confirmed in two gentoo penguins that were found dead on Sea Lion Island in the Falkland Islands, a British territory.

“But many more are dying,” said Sally Heathman, the head of communications for the Falkland Islands government. As of January 30, more than 200 dead or dying gentoo chicks have been reported on Sea Lion Island, she said.

A gentoo penguin at the Maldonado base on Greenwich Island, Antarctica, this month.Juan Barreto/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Why It Matters: Penguins are already under pressure.

The familiar black-and-white birds are facing numerous threats, including climate change, pollution and commercial fishing. Three Antarctic penguin species — emperor penguins, southern rockhopper penguins and macaroni penguins — are listed as vulnerable or near threatened.

Before H5N1 arrived in the Antarctic region last fall, highly pathogenic bird flu viruses had never been documented in the area before. That means that the penguins are likely to have little existing immunity. And because they breed in large, crowded colonies, once one penguin is infected, the virus could spread rapidly, causing mass mortalities. (As the virus spread through South America last year, Chile reported the deaths of thousands of Humboldt penguins.)

The extent of the virus’s spread in Antarctic penguin populations remains unclear.

In the Falkland Islands, some gentoo penguins appeared to be sick or lethargic, and a small number showed neurological symptoms, before they were found dead, Ms. Heathman said. The virus has not yet been confirmed in any other local penguin species, she said, but testing of rockhopper penguins is underway.

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