"Antarctic Mammals Affected by Unprecedented Bird Flu Outbreak"

An unprecedented and highly contagious bird flu outbreak in the sub-Antarctic has spread to mammals, with cases confirmed in elephant and fur seals on South Georgia, posing a significant threat to the region’s fragile ecosystem. The virus, detected in brown skuas in October, has now been found in mammals, raising concerns about potential impact on the unique biodiversity of the area. British officials have suspended fieldwork involving animal contact as a precaution, while global experts warn of the possibility of "efficient virus transmission" in the region.