The dangerous strain of bird influenza H5N1 reached the population of birds on the ice continent – Antarctic.
According to The Guardian, scientists have found the H5N1 virus from the Brown Permine population on a bird island, which is part of the overseas territory of Great Britain.
Scientists believe that the virus, first discovered on the ice continent, can have a destructive effect on the rich population of wild animals of the Antarctic.
A British Antarctic Research Institute (BAS) Ashley Bennison said that samples taken from birds on a bird island gave a positive result on H5N1.
“This is a very sad situation. We will continue to observe the inhabitants of the island, as far as possible. At present, we are not sure of the full impact of the virus,” Bennison said.
Risk assessment prepared by the Antarctic Scientific Research Committee on the influence of bird flu on the region, showed that penguins, as well as sea seals, sea lions, spray and seagulls are at risk.
One of the authors of the report, Dr. Migan Dewar believes that the spread of the virus can have destructive consequences for the animal world of the ice continent.