Penguins found infected with bird flu near Antarctica, more than 200 have died

According to CCTV news, recently, the Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research said that the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus was detected in Gentoo penguins for the first time, which heightened concerns that the virus may spread among Antarctica's huge penguin population.

On January 19, researchers from the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research discovered about 35 dead Gentoo penguins in the Malvinas Islands in the South Atlantic. Samples they took from two of the penguins tested positive for the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The local government said that as of January 30, more than 200 gentoo penguin chicks and a few adult penguins had died.

However, researchers say that considering that gentoo penguins rarely move between the Malvinas Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, it is unlikely that the avian influenza virus will spread in Antarctica. At present, in South Georgia Island near the Malvinas Islands, relevant parties have ruled out the possibility of emperor penguins being suspected of being infected with avian influenza. The local government in the Malvinas Islands is awaiting test results for rockhopper penguins on the island to prevent a large-scale bird flu outbreak.