13 February 2026
H5N1 Bird Flu Reaches Antarctica Marking Global Spread While UK Reports New Outbreaks and Wildlife Impacts Intensify
Bird Flu Bulletin: Daily H5N1 Update
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Bird Flu Bulletin: Daily H5N1 Update
Friday, February 13, 2026.
Good evening, this is your Daily H5N1 Update. I'm your host.
Top Stories from the last 24 hours.
First, H5N1 avian influenza has caused its first confirmed wildlife die-off in Antarctica. Researchers from Erasmus MC and the University of California, Davis, report more than 50 south polar skuas died during the 2023-2024 summers, primarily on Beak Island, showing severe neurological symptoms like twisted necks and circling. The virus was detected at three sites: Hope Bay, Devil Island, and Beak Island, marking a troubling expansion to the continent.
Second, the UK confirmed new HPAI H5N1 outbreaks. GOV.UK reports a case at a second premises near Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland, on February 12, triggering a 3km protection zone. Total UK cases for the 2025-2026 season now stand at 93 in poultry, with recent detections in England near Bacton, Suffolk, and York, North Yorkshire, leading to culls and control zones.
Third, global spread continues. The Centre for Health Protection lists new H5N1 detections on February 12 in the UK, Belgium, Hungary, and Poland, adding to cases in France, Germany, Nigeria, and others this month.
On human cases, CDC data shows no change in the US national total of 71 since 2024, with 41 linked to dairy herds and 24 to poultry. No new US cases reported in the last 24 hours, steady from yesterday. Globally, human infections remain sporadic, with no uptick noted.
Health authorities: CDC maintains the public health risk is low but continues surveillance, reporting data monthly. UK authorities have declared zones and ordered culls, emphasizing biosecurity.
Now, a brief word from Dr. Thijs Kuiken, professor at Erasmus MC and senior author of the Antarctica study.
In a ScienceDaily interview, Dr. Kuiken said: "We let the virus slip out through our fingers when it first emerged in the poultry industry. Once it got into wild bird populations, we lost the ability to control this virus. Now it's established in wild bird populations in all continental regions except Oceania."
Looking ahead, expect updates on Antarctic impacts and potential spread to penguins or seals. UK zone surveillances may lift or expand, and global reports from CHP could add more poultry cases by tomorrow. US monthly CDC data remains stable.
Thank you for tuning in. Come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production. For me, check out Quiet Please Dot A I.
Stay safe.
For more http://www.quietplease.ai
Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
Friday, February 13, 2026.
Good evening, this is your Daily H5N1 Update. I'm your host.
Top Stories from the last 24 hours.
First, H5N1 avian influenza has caused its first confirmed wildlife die-off in Antarctica. Researchers from Erasmus MC and the University of California, Davis, report more than 50 south polar skuas died during the 2023-2024 summers, primarily on Beak Island, showing severe neurological symptoms like twisted necks and circling. The virus was detected at three sites: Hope Bay, Devil Island, and Beak Island, marking a troubling expansion to the continent.
Second, the UK confirmed new HPAI H5N1 outbreaks. GOV.UK reports a case at a second premises near Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland, on February 12, triggering a 3km protection zone. Total UK cases for the 2025-2026 season now stand at 93 in poultry, with recent detections in England near Bacton, Suffolk, and York, North Yorkshire, leading to culls and control zones.
Third, global spread continues. The Centre for Health Protection lists new H5N1 detections on February 12 in the UK, Belgium, Hungary, and Poland, adding to cases in France, Germany, Nigeria, and others this month.
On human cases, CDC data shows no change in the US national total of 71 since 2024, with 41 linked to dairy herds and 24 to poultry. No new US cases reported in the last 24 hours, steady from yesterday. Globally, human infections remain sporadic, with no uptick noted.
Health authorities: CDC maintains the public health risk is low but continues surveillance, reporting data monthly. UK authorities have declared zones and ordered culls, emphasizing biosecurity.
Now, a brief word from Dr. Thijs Kuiken, professor at Erasmus MC and senior author of the Antarctica study.
In a ScienceDaily interview, Dr. Kuiken said: "We let the virus slip out through our fingers when it first emerged in the poultry industry. Once it got into wild bird populations, we lost the ability to control this virus. Now it's established in wild bird populations in all continental regions except Oceania."
Looking ahead, expect updates on Antarctic impacts and potential spread to penguins or seals. UK zone surveillances may lift or expand, and global reports from CHP could add more poultry cases by tomorrow. US monthly CDC data remains stable.
Thank you for tuning in. Come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production. For me, check out Quiet Please Dot A I.
Stay safe.
For more http://www.quietplease.ai
Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI