Australia confirms H5N1 bird flu case in local mammal
Australian authorities said the deadly virus's spread to mammals was "concerning" but "not unexpected."
Australia has identified its first case of H5N1 bird flu in a mammal, confirming the virus in a long-nosed fur seal found dead in Beachport, South Australia. The highly pathogenic influenza, which arrived in the country in June, has since led to mass seabird deaths and raised concerns among authorities. Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins stated that the infected seal showed no signs of injury and that the death does not appear to be linked to other sick or deceased marine mammals.
Collins noted that the spread of the H5 bird flu in the natural environment could result in significant losses, though this development is not unexpected given the virus's prevalence among wild birds in certain areas. As of Friday, Australia reported 297 confirmed cases of H5N1 in poultry, with no instances of the virus spreading to the country's agricultural sector.
The government plans to launch a bird vaccination program, considering factors such as species vulnerability and conservation impact.
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