Australia reports first case of H5N1 bird flu in native mammal
Australia has confirmed its first case of H5N1 bird flu in a native mammal, after a long-nosed fur seal was found infected in South Australia.
Key Takeaways
AIAustralia on Sunday confirmed its first case of H5N1 bird flu in a native mammal, after a long-nosed fur seal was found infected in South Australia.
The country has seen a rise in highly pathogenic bird flu cases since the virus arrived in June, according to Reuters.
Authorities in South Australia reported the first mammal infection in the country, after the seal was discovered in the coastal town of Beachport, about 310 kilometers south of Adelaide, the state capital.
Officials said the seal, one of around 100,000 in state waters, was found dead with no visible injuries.
Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins told television that the seal's death did not appear linked to other sick or dead marine mammals.
She added that once H5 bird flu spreads in the wild, it becomes impossible to avoid significant losses.
Earlier this month, Australia recorded its first mass die-off of seabirds from the virus, signaling a worsening outbreak that began after the virus was first detected in migratory seabirds before spreading to local species.
The virus has not yet been detected in Australia's poultry or farming sectors, according to the federal government, which said on Friday that 297 cases have been confirmed nationwide so far.