Alaskan polar bear dies from bird flu

The Alaska Department of Conservation confirms the death of a polar bear from avian influenza. This is the first recorded death of the species globally. The animal’s carcass was found in October near Utqiagvik, a community in the far north of the country. Early reports suggest the mammal may have contracted the virus through contact with dead infected birds.

The incident has reignited concerns about the spread of the virus. In July last year, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that since 2022, 10 countries on three continents have recorded outbreaks of mammalian H5N1 subtype avian influenza.

“Mammals are biologically closer to humans than birds, and the increasing number of detections in mammals has raised concerns that pathogens may adapt to more easily infect humans. Additionally, some mammals can act as influenza viruses ‘melting pot’, leading to the emergence of new microorganisms that are more harmful to animals and humans,” the World Health Organization warned.

Research led by Richard Webby, director of the WHO Avian Pathology Research Center, found that since 2021, the H5N1 virus is more contagious and spreads faster, both in North America and Europe, Asia and Africa. This more virulent strain has infected mammals including sea lions, foxes, mice, dogs, cats, ferrets and humans.

The European Food Safety Authority reported in the middle of last year that most of the affected wild mammals were carnivores that hunt wild birds or feed on these species after they die. Gregorio Torres, director of the World Organization’s scientific department, warned: “The ecology and epidemiology of avian influenza is undergoing a paradigm shift, with the disease spreading to new geographical areas and causing unusual deaths globally. Raising increasing concern.” Animal Health (World Health Organization).

Avian Flu: A New Human Epidemic?

Although cases have been documented, avian influenza viruses have not yet mutated into a disease that spreads widely from human to human. However, this possibility cannot be ruled out. “Our worst suspicions are being confirmed, and the virus is increasingly adapting to different parts of the world,” said Rafael Ojeda, a livestock veterinarian at the National Autonomous University of Mexico.

Mortality rates vary among strains. The average value is set to 50%. According to the World Health Organization, For every 10 people infected with the H5N1 virus, 5 people die.

The World Health Organization and the World Health Organization have asked health authorities around the world to monitor the evolution of the virus to look for new cases of infection in animals or humans. They show that avian influenza has begun to affect countries that previously had little experience monitoring and controlling the pathogen.