Chilean scientists work at the Veterinary Laboratories of the University of Chile in Santiago on February 17, 2026. Avian influenza, a highly lethal virus now advancing across Antarctica, is increasingly threatening the native wildlife of the white continent, Chilean scientist Victor Neira warns. (Photo by RODRIGO ARANGUA / AFP via Getty Images)

Chilean scientist Victor Neira puts samples on a fridge at the Veterinary Laboratories of the University of Chile in Santiago on February 17, 2026. Avian influenza, a highly lethal virus now advancing across Antarctica, is increasingly threatening the native wildlife of the white continent, Chilean scientist Victor Neira warns. (Photo by RODRIGO ARANGUA / AFP via Getty Images)

Chilean scientists work at the Veterinary Laboratories of the University of Chile in Santiago on February 17, 2026. Avian influenza, a highly lethal virus now advancing across Antarctica, is increasingly threatening the native wildlife of the white continent, Chilean scientist Victor Neira warns. (Photo by RODRIGO ARANGUA / AFP via Getty Images)

A Chilean scientist holds a sample at the Veterinary Laboratories of the University of Chile in Santiago on February 17, 2026. Avian influenza, a highly lethal virus now advancing across Antarctica, is increasingly threatening the native wildlife of the white continent, Chilean scientist Victor Neira warns. (Photo by RODRIGO ARANGUA / AFP via Getty Images)

Chilean scientist Victor Neira works at the Veterinary Laboratories of the University of Chile in Santiago on February 17, 2026. Avian influenza, a highly lethal virus now advancing across Antarctica, is increasingly threatening the native wildlife of the white continent, Chilean scientist Victor Neira warns. (Photo by RODRIGO ARANGUA / AFP via Getty Images)

Chilean scientist Victor Neira works at the Veterinary Laboratories of the University of Chile in Santiago on February 17, 2026. Avian influenza, a highly lethal virus now advancing across Antarctica, is increasingly threatening the native wildlife of the white continent, Chilean scientist Victor Neira warns. (Photo by RODRIGO ARANGUA / AFP via Getty Images)

Chilean scientist Victor Neira works at the Veterinary Laboratories of the University of Chile in Santiago on February 17, 2026. Avian influenza, a highly lethal virus now advancing across Antarctica, is increasingly threatening the native wildlife of the white continent, Chilean scientist Victor Neira warns. (Photo by RODRIGO ARANGUA / AFP via Getty Images)

An illustrated poster showing the penguin species that inhabit Chile's Antarctic territory is displayed at the Veterinary Laboratories of the University of Chile in Santiago on February 17, 2026. Avian influenza, a highly lethal virus now advancing across Antarctica, is increasingly threatening the native wildlife of the white continent, Chilean scientist Victor Neira warns. (Photo by RODRIGO ARANGUA / AFP via Getty Images)