"Polar Bear in Alaska Marks First Global Avian Flu Fatality, Signaling Virus Endurance"

A polar bear found dead near Utqiagvik, Alaska, has been confirmed as the first documented case of a polar bear dying from highly pathogenic avian influenza. This discovery highlights the virus's persistence and impact on wildlife, including endangered species. The bear likely contracted the virus by scavenging on dead birds, and the disease has affected various wild bird and mammal populations globally. The virus's durability and spread, even to remote areas and across continents, suggest it may become endemic in the wild, posing new challenges for wildlife management and conservation.