Scientists have discovered strains of the dreaded H1N1 bird flu in remote populations of penguins in Antarctica, Reuters is reporting.
Spanish researchers tested samples from dead birds found earlier in the year near Argentina’s permanent Antarctic research station.
It might not sound like much, but outbreaks such as this can quickly spread to other species, and then on to humans as has been seen in multiple outbreaks across the world since 2003.
The situation is concerning and has the potential to begin a new pandemic if not managed carefully.
“This discovery demonstrates for the first time that the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus has reached Antarctica, despite the distance and natural barriers that separate it from other continents,” said a Spanish government report.
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