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

The detected highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI) is of the H5N5 subtype, a type of the virus previously detected in Svalbard: in wild birds for the first time in 2022, in a walrus in 2023, in Arctic foxes in 2025, and in a polar bear and walrus in the spring of 2026. This latest detection is the second in a polar bear in Norway and Europe.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses have also previously been detected in predatory mammals such as red foxes, otters, and lynx on mainland Norway following infection from wild birds.

Sampled in the field by the Governor
The polar bear, a young individual, was found dead on ??ya, near Virgohamna. The animal was sampled by the Governor 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 kilometers.

- Following the findings of the polar bear and the walrus in Raudfjorden, we also recommended sampling the polar bear that was on ??ya, says veterinarian and wildlife health specialist at the Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Knut Madslien.

The samples from the polar bear were then sent to the Norwegian Veterinary Institute and examined 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.

related news: Norway: First detection of bird flu in polar bears in Svalbard   May 20, 2026

related articles: Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H5N5) detected in an Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway, 2023. Emerg Microbes Infect. 2025 Jan 27:2456146 Jan, 28, 2025

[preprint]Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N5 in a Polar Bear and Atlantic Walrus, Svalbard, 2026, with Widespread Seroconversion in Polar Bears. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.20.739480  Jul, 22, 2026

Multiple introductions of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses into the High Arctic: Svalbard and Jan Mayen, 2022–2025. Journal of General Virology 107, 002305 (2026)   Aug, 19, 2026