Southeast Alaska bear cub diagnosed with bird flu in rare case

[Still Waters]

A black bear cub in Southeast Alaska was sick last month with bird flu, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. The cub found in Bartlett Cove, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, is only the second instance of highly pathogenic avian influenza being diagnosed in a bear amid an ongoing outbreak.

“The (highly pathogenic avian influenza) passes really easily to poultry, but mammals aren’t really susceptible to it,” said Dr. Kimberlee Beckmen, wildlife veterinarian for the department. “It’s difficult to get, but we suspect the cub probably ate a bird that died from avian influenza.”

Beckmen said the cub being a young, small animal with a relatively weak immune system likely contributed to it ultimately becoming ill. The detected illness is not a sign highly pathogenic avian influenza is likely to further spread to other animals or people, Beckmen said.

https://www.juneauempire.com/news/glacier-bay-bear-cub-diagnosed-with-bird-flu-in-rare-case/

https://phys.org/news/2022-11-bird-flu-southeast-alaska-black.html

[SHaYap]

The virus is getting better at learning new tricks... 

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