Avian Influenza Detected on Tromsøya

A new type of avian influenza has been detected on Tromsøya in Northern Norway, with dead gulls found in Tromsø city center.

AI Comment from GPT 4.1:

This observation of a dead black-headed gull in Tromsøya follows a series of similar reports across Northern Norway. Several related posts document recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) among various gull and seabird species in the region. On July 28, 2025, HPAI was confirmed in a great black-backed gull in Vadsø (Avian influenza detected in gull), emphasizing the ongoing risk to wild bird populations. Earlier, in July 2023, Vadsø also experienced a mass mortality event involving approximately 1,000 dead seagulls, an incident described as a "natural and environmental catastrophe" (Bag upon bag of dead bird in Vadsø: 1000 seagulls were retrieved on Monday). In June 2023, avian influenza was detected among kittiwakes in Harstad, particularly affecting breeding colonies (Avian influenza detected on kittiwakes in Harstad). Additionally, an outbreak on Hopen, Svalbard in October 2023 resulted in dramatic losses in seabird colonies (Outbreak of avian flu on Hopen). These related posts indicate persistent and widespread avian influenza activity in Northern Norway, with impacts on both urban and remote seabird populations.