Polar Bear Dies of Avian Flu in the Arctic

27 Jan 2024 2 mins Download PDF

Context: The Arctic region has reported the first case of death of a polar bear due to the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).

News:

• The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation reported the discovery of a deceased bear in the vicinity of Utqiagvik, Alaska's northernmost community.
• The first detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the Arctic region occurred in the second week of April 2023, affecting birds and a fox.

About polar bear:

• Scientific Name: Ursus maritimus
• IUCN Status: Vulnerable
• Habitat: Primarily found in the Arctic Ocean, sea ice, and adjacent coastal areas.

Survival Dependence on Arctic Sea Ice:

• The Arctic sea ice is of paramount importance to polar bears, serving as a crucial element for hunting seals, as well as for activities such as travel, mating, and resting.

Predatory Characteristics:

• Prey Base: Polar bears, as top predators in the Arctic region, primarily feed on ringed and bearded seals.
• Physical Adaptations: They possess a thick layer of body fat and a water-repellent coat, offering insulation against the extreme cold of both air and water.

Ecological Significance:

• Top Predator Role: Polar bears play a vital role in maintaining the balance of biological populations, sustaining the Arctic food chain, and preserving overall ecosystem health.
• Example: Leftovers from polar bear meals serve as a SOURCE of food for scavengers like Arctic foxes and Arctic birds.

Impact on Seal Population:

• The potential overpopulation of seals, a key prey for polar bears, could pose a threat to the existence of crustaceans and fish. These, in turn, are crucial food Sources for local human populations and other wildlife in the Arctic region.

H5N1 Virus (Bird Flu):

• Nature of Disease: Avian influenza, commonly known as 'bird flu,' is primarily a bird-borne illness caused by a virus belonging to the Orthomyxoviridae family.
• Initial Poultry Report and Outbreak: The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak of the variant H5N1 was first documented in poultry. It commenced in 2021 and rapidly disseminated among wild bird populations globally.
• Influenza A Virus Circulation: Influenza A viruses have the capacity to circulate among seven different animal species, including humans, wild water birds, domestic poultry, swine, horses, dogs, and bats.
• Zoonotic Nature: Five subtypes of avian influenza A viruses, namely H5, H6, H7, H9, and H10, possess the potential to cause infections in humans.
•  Transmission Routes:
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  • Migratory Wild Birds: The virus can be transmitted through migratory wild birds.
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  • Human Transmission Risk: The primary risk factor for transmission from birds to humans involves direct or indirect contact with infected animals or exposure to environments and surfaces contaminated by feces.