First Polar Bear Dies From Bird Flu

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation recently reported a polar bear was found dead after being infected with the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HAPI).

The polar bear was found on October 1, 2023, near Utqiagvik, a North Slope community in the United States. Following HAPI sample testing, the bear's death was confirmed on December 6, 2023.

This was also the first Endangered Species Act-listed animal in Alaska known to fall victim to HAPI.

There has been a global increase in HPAI outbreaks due to the genetic diversity of circulating virus strains, which rapidly spread in birds.

This World Organisation for Animal Health report issued in October 2023 provides an update on the HPAI situation.

Since people can become infected by the HAPI virus, the U.S. government has been preparing vaccines for an outbreak. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 20 million H5N1 and 12 million H7N9 vaccines were available in the U.S. National Strategic Stockpile in 2023.