In a significant development, scientists have confirmed the presence of a deadly strain of bird flu on the mainland of Antarctica, posing a potential threat to the region's&nbsp;penguin colonies. Argentina's Higher Council for Scientific Investigation (CSIC) revealed that the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus had been detected on the Antarctic mainland, marking the first instance of its presence despite the geographical isolation and natural barriers separating Antarctica from other continents.

"This discovery demonstrates for the first time that the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus has reached Antarctica despite the distance and natural barriers that separate it from other continents," Argentina's Higher Council for Scientific Investigation (CSIC) said on Sunday (Feb 25).

Additionally, data from the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research indicates a confirmed case at a research base, further highlighting the urgency of addressing this emerging threat.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-to-map-mysteries-of-antarctica-using-robot-plane-686750">Also read |&nbsp;Scientists to map mysteries of Antarctica using robot plane</a>

<h2>Confirmation and context</h2>

The virus was identified on February 24 in samples taken from deceased skua seabirds, discovered by Argentine scientists near the Antarctic base Primavera. This confirmation follows previous cases on nearby islands, including infections among gentoo penguins, highlighting&nbsp;the vulnerability of colonies in the region to the H5N1 avian flu, which has caused significant bird population declines worldwide in recent months.

According to CSIC, thorough analysis conclusively identified the birds as carriers of the H5 subtype of avian influenza, with at least one bird containing the highly pathogenic strain of the virus.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/rocks-found-in-antarctica-suggest-an-asteroid-may-have-exploded-over-the-continent-25-million-years-ago-687777">Also read |&nbsp;An asteroid exploded over Antarctica 2.5 million years ago, rocky evidence suggests</a>

"Analysis has conclusively shown that the birds were infected with the H5 subtype of avian influenza and at least one of the dead birds contained the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus," CSIC said in a statement.

This revelation raises concerns, particularly given the dense gatherings of hundreds of thousands of penguins in colonies across the Antarctic continent and nearby islands, which could facilitate rapid virus transmission.

Also watch |&nbsp;Antarctic sea ice depleting due to rising temperatures

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/antarctic-sea-ice-depleting-due-to-rising-temperatures-693958/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The presence of the virus in this remote region poses a considerable risk to the already fragile ecosystem, with penguin colonies particularly susceptible to outbreaks.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a significant development, scientists have confirmed the presence of a deadly strain of bird flu on the mainland of Antarctica, posing a potential threat to the region's penguin colonies.

In a significant development, scientists have confirmed the presence of a deadly strain of bird flu on the mainland of Antarctica, posing a potential threat to the region's penguin colonies. Argentina's Higher Council for Scientific Investigation (CSIC) revealed that the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus had been detected on the Antarctic mainland, marking the first instance of its presence despite the geographical isolation and natural barriers separating Antarctica from other continents. "This discovery demonstrates for the first time that the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus has reached Antarctica despite the distance and natural barriers that separate it from other continents," Argentina's Higher Council for Scientific Investigation (CSIC) said on Sunday (Feb 25). Additionally, data from the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research indicates a confirmed case at a research base, further highlighting the urgency of addressing this emerging threat. Also read | Scientists to map mysteries of Antarctica using robot plane Confirmation and context The virus was identified on February 24 in samples taken from deceased skua seabirds, discovered by Argentine scientists near the Antarctic base Primavera. This confirmation follows previous cases on nearby islands, including infections among gentoo penguins, highlighting the vulnerability of colonies in the region to the H5N1 avian flu, which has caused significant bird population declines worldwide in recent months. According to CSIC, thorough analysis conclusively identified the birds as carriers of the H5 subtype of avian influenza, with at least one bird containing the highly pathogenic strain of the virus. Also read | An asteroid exploded over Antarctica 2.5 million years ago, rocky evidence suggests "Analysis has conclusively shown that the birds were infected with the H5 subtype of avian influenza and at least one of the dead birds contained the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus," CSIC said in a statement. This revelation raises concerns, particularly given the dense gatherings of hundreds of thousands of penguins in colonies across the Antarctic continent and nearby islands, which could facilitate rapid virus transmission. Also watch | Antarctic sea ice depleting due to rising temperatures The presence of the virus in this remote region poses a considerable risk to the already fragile ecosystem, with penguin colonies particularly susceptible to outbreaks. (With inputs from agencies)

Deadly bird flu reaches mainland Antarctica for the first time, confirm scientists

A panda that China gifted to Taiwan 14 years ago as a symbol of goodwill died on Saturday, after suffering a spate of seizures. Watch the full video to know more

Giant Panda Tuan Tuan, gifted by China to Taiwan, dies

Hong Kong's strategy to strengthen the city's global financial hub status is through greater integration with mainland China, now that Beijing has helped restore 'stability' in the city,&nbsp;Chief Executive Carrie Lam said on Sunday. 
 
Contributing to China's financial reform and opening will inject fresh vigour into Hong Kong's economy, Lam told a financial forum in Beijing. 
 
Worries have been growing among many non-Chinese investors in Hong Kong over what they see as vanishing rights and freedoms in the city after Beijing's imposition of a sweeping national security law in response to mass 2019 protests. 
 
The former British colony's high degree of autonomy from Beijing, including an independent judiciary, form the bedrock on which it has flourished as a global hub. While many investors still see access to the vast China markets as an important draw, others have been reconsidering their presence in Hong Kong. 
 
Lam said Hong Kong can play key roles in promoting China's financial development, including facilitating yuan internationalisation, helping finance mainland companies, and providing an offshore safe haven for Chinese money. 
 
"Hong Kong has never been absent from the country's reform and opening, providing capital, technology and talents," Lam said. 
 
The city "will serve China's needs while injecting fresh vigour into Hong Kong's economy." 
 
Hong Kong will embrace opportunities created by China's plan to integrate Hong Kong, Macau and part of Guangdong in a&nbsp;development zone, Lam said.

Hong Kong's strategy to strengthen the city's global financial hub status is through greater integration with mainland China, now that Beijing has helped restore 'stability' in the city, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said on Sunday.

Hong Kong's strategy to strengthen the city's global financial hub status is through greater integration with mainland China, now that Beijing has helped restore 'stability' in the city, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said on Sunday. Contributing to China's financial reform and opening will inject fresh vigour into Hong Kong's economy, Lam told a financial forum in Beijing. Worries have been growing among many non-Chinese investors in Hong Kong over what they see as vanishing rights and freedoms in the city after Beijing's imposition of a sweeping national security law in response to mass 2019 protests. The former British colony's high degree of autonomy from Beijing, including an independent judiciary, form the bedrock on which it has flourished as a global hub. While many investors still see access to the vast China markets as an important draw, others have been reconsidering their presence in Hong Kong. Lam said Hong Kong can play key roles in promoting China's financial development, including facilitating yuan internationalisation, helping finance mainland companies, and providing an offshore safe haven for Chinese money. "Hong Kong has never been absent from the country's reform and opening, providing capital, technology and talents," Lam said. The city "will serve China's needs while injecting fresh vigour into Hong Kong's economy." Hong Kong will embrace opportunities created by China's plan to integrate Hong Kong, Macau and part of Guangdong in a development zone, Lam said.

Hong Kong seeking closer integration with mainland China, Lam says

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