Seals, sea lions, foxes, otters, raccoons, grizzly bears, minks, porpoises have been infected, as scientists sound alarm about a new pandemic
Bird flu or the H5N1 strain of avian influenza has spread to new countries as well as species. The disease caused the death of 585 sea lions in Peru this month. It has spread to other countries in Latin America as well. Photo: iStock
Four seals have also been found infected with H5N1 in Scotland. The disease has also been detected in foxes and otters in Britain. Photo: iStock
Bird flu has also been detected in other mammalian species including minks (shown here), porpoises, raccoons and grizzly bears. Photo: iStock
So, are the world’s marine mammals (like the finless porpoise shown here) at risk? It all depends on the extent to which marine mammals and wild, migratory bird species interact with each other, according to marine biologist Sajan John who works with the non-profit Wildlife Trust of India. Photo: iStock
There have been very few cases of bird flu among humans. But scientists are concerned after the recent spread of the disease to mammals. Photo: iStock
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