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Norway Confirms First European Avian Flu in Polar Bear

5/19/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Norwegian officials reported the first European case of avian influenza in a polar bear on Svalbard.
The Norwegian Veterinary Institute said the H5N5 strain has previously infected birds, Arctic foxes and a walrus on Svalbard.
Tests confirmed H5N5 in a one-year-old male polar bear and a dead walrus.
Svalbard’s governor said the virus likely caused the deaths of both animals.

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Story summary

Norwegian officials reported the first European case of avian influenza in a polar bear on Svalbard.
The Norwegian Veterinary Institute said the H5N5 strain has previously infected birds, Arctic foxes and a walrus on Svalbard.
Tests confirmed H5N5 in a one-year-old male polar bear and a dead walrus.
Svalbard’s governor said the virus likely caused the deaths of both animals.