Veterinary Institute detects bird flu in polar bear on Spitsbergen

The Norwegian Veterinary Institute has detected avian influenza in a young polar bear found dead on the northern tip of Spitsbergen. This is the second time the virus has been detected in polar bears in Norway and Europe.

The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus has previously been detected in Svalbard in recent years; in wild birds in 2022, in a walrus in 2023, in polar foxes in 2025 and in a polar bear and walrus in the spring of 2026. This latest detection is the second in polar bears in Norway and Europe.

The polar bear, a young individual, was found dead on Æøya, near Virgohamna. The animal was sampled by Sysselmesteren (the Governor of Svalbard) in June 2026, after avian influenza virus was detected in a dead polar bear and a dead walrus in Raudfjorden in May 2026. The distance between the two findings of dead animals is approximately 23 km.

The samples from the polar bear were then sent to the Norwegian Veterinary Institute and tested for avian influenza virus and rabies. Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus was detected in samples from both the brain and nose. Rabies virus was not detected.

Reporting dead or sick animals and birds: Both highly pathogenic avian influenza and rabies are serious diseases found in Svalbard and can be transmitted to humans. Contact with sick and dead animals should therefore be avoided.

Members of the public who discover dead animals or birds in Svalbard can report this to the Governor via the form Reporting dead animals and birds.

This is important to obtain an overview of disease incidence and mortality, although it does not always trigger sampling.