SCIENTISTS have confirmed the deadly bird flu has officially reached the coldest continent in the world.
Argentine scientists detected the presence of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus on the Antarctic mainland.
The highly contagious virus infected two brown skua, or a type of predatory seabird, which were already found dead on the western side of Antarctica.
Avian influenza causes serious illness in birds and has already killed millions of birds and thousands of
Scientists first confirmed the cases on February 24.
Researchers are now working to prevent the transmission of the virus to humans although more than 800 cases from 23 countries have been reported in the past 21 years.
The presence of the highly contagious virus sparked concerns about ecological disaster amid fears it could spread to huge penguin colonies in Antarctica and possibly make it to Australia.
