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The Bird flu virus has been present in king penguins close to Antarctica.
The UK’s Animal and Plant Health Agency (Apha) has examined for the H5N1 virus on the island of South Georgia since a number of brown skuas had been discovered useless there in October.
Earlier this yr consultants discovered the virus in elephant and fur seals, and it unfold to Antarctic terns and wandering albatrosses.
It has now been found in 5 king penguins on the southern coast of South Georgia and 5 gentoo penguins from close by Bird Island.
The circumstances had been confirmed in samples despatched again to the UK to the International Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza on the Apha laboratories in Weybridge, Surrey.
Scientists say whereas circumstances are localised, there are considerations the virus may unfold in winter, when penguins huddle collectively to breed.
H5N1 is probably to have been launched within the area by means of birds migrating from South America, it’s believed.
While the danger to human well being stays very low, the virus endangers the fragile and distinctive ecosystems of the Antarctic, consultants say.
Professor Ash Banyard, of Apha, stated: “South Georgia is home to some of our most unique and special wildlife and is of great importance to international biodiversity, so it is sad to witness the effects of avian influenza on these populations.
“However, these cases remain fairly isolated, and we are not seeing a rapid spread through penguin colonies.”
Bird flu has beforehand been present in seals round Europe and the Americas in addition to in mink in northern Spain and foxes and otters in England.
Positive samples have been discovered as far north because the Arctic, in Alaskan polar bears.
