Scientists in Antarctica warn of Bird Flu outbreak as penguin cases confirmed
Scientists in the Antarctic are warning of the spread of the deadly H5N1 avian flu virus. The disease was first detected on the frozen continent's mainland last month. It has since been detected in local penguin and cormorant populations. The spread of the virus has raised alarms about the potential impact on the region's substantial penguin colonies. The outbreak has decimated bird populations worldwide. It also hit South American wild bird and marine mammal populations hard. The Chilean Antarctic Institute (INACH) organized an expedition in the region. It announced this week that it had detected new positive bird flu cases in the area. The positive cases included nine Adelie penguins and one Antarctic cormorant. The virus was first found in skua seabirds on the Antarctic mainland last month. The outbreak may promote and increase the rate of disease transmission among various bird colonies
