Researcher Warns Of Bird Flu 'Capable Of Killing 100%' Infected Fauna In Antarctica

Last Updated:February 21, 2026, 20:51 IST

Chilean researcher detected a deadly bird flu strain in Antarctica, spreading rapidly among skuas, cormorants, gulls, penguins, and fur seals, threatening small animal populations.

Scientists are warning over the spread of bird flu in Antarctica. A leading Chilean researcher, Victor Neira, on Tuesday told AFP that a detected strain has the potential to “kill 100 per cent" of infected fauna.

Though researchers have been warning about bird flu’s presence on the icy continent, which hosts temporary teams of scientists but no permanent residents, a particularly lethal strain was identified in April 2024 by Neira and his team in five skuas, a type of polar seabird.

Since then, the virus has spread to other species, with cases identified along 900 kilometres (560 miles) of coastline studied by scientists. During a recent expedition to Antarctica, Neira said that new cases were found in Antarctic cormorants, kelp gulls, Adelie and gentoo penguins, and Antarctic fur seals.

“The virus has completely spread throughout the Antarctic region where we have the capacity to go and study," said Neira, a scientist at the University of Chile and the Chilean Antarctic Institute (INACH).

“This disease is capable of killing 100 per cent of the birds in short periods of time," he added.

“For example, in one or two days it can kill 90 per cent or 100 per cent of the animals in a given area."

The small population sizes of Antarctic species highlight the risk of outbreaks. Species like Antarctic cormorants and skuas number around 20,000 in total.

Since 2021, a global wave of bird flu has affected birds and mammals worldwide, spread through bird migration. In 2023, it resulted in the deaths of thousands of Humboldt penguins in Chile.

News world Researcher Warns Of Bird Flu 'Capable Of Killing 100%' Infected Fauna In Antarctica

Read More