Bird flu virus detected in Alaskan polar bear

By Dr. Sushama R. Chaphalkar, PhD.Reviewed by Susha Cheriyedath, M.Sc.Jul 2 2024 In a recent study published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, researchers in Alaska, United States of America reported a natural infection of a highly pathogenic avian influenza A or bird flu virus in a young, free-ranging polar bear that was found dead in Alaska in 2023. They highlighted the significance of continued wildlife health surveillance by the community as well as by hunters in the Arctic.

Background First detected in October 2020 in Europe, the HPAI A clade 2.3.4.4b virus has since often infected various mammal species globally ever since. In North America, natural bird flu infections have been observed in several bear species, including Asiatic black bears, American black bears, grizzly bears, and Kodiak brown bears. Animals in captivity, including sloth bears, Asiatic black bears, and giant pandas, have been reported to contract other influenza A viruses.

Polar bears are classified as a threatened species under the US Endangered Species Act. Understanding their health threats is crucial for conservation efforts and developing effective management strategies. In the present study, researchers report the case of a male polar bear naturally infected with the HPAI H5N1 virus that succumbed to the infection.

Related StoriesLocal residents reported finding a dead polar bear near Point Barrow, Alaska, in August 2023. A postmortem examination was conducted. The bear was found to be a 120 cm-long juvenile male in a condition of moderate to advanced decomposition. After a gross examination, tissue samples were collected and fixed in 10% buffered formalin for histopathologic examination. Swab samples were also collected and stored at −50°C.

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