Australia confirms first H5N1 bird flu case in local mammal

Over the weekend, Australia confirmed its first case of H5N1 bird flu in a mammal, with the deadly virus found in a long-nosed fur seal in South Australia state.

Australia has been grappling with rising cases of the highly pathogenic avian influenza after it landed in the country in June.



South Australian authorities confirmed the nation’s first mammalian detection in the seal, found at the coastal town of Beachport, about 310km south of Adelaide, the state capital.



The seal, one of an estimated population of 100,000 in the state’s waters, was found dead with no signs of injury.



Its death “does not appear to be associated with other sick or dead marine mammals,” Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said in televised remarks.



“Once the H5 bird flu is spreading in the natural environment it is not possible to avoid significant losses,” Collins added.