Australia reports first bird flu case in a mammal as seal dies

Australia has confirmed its first case of the H5 bird flu in a mammal, a long-nosed fur seal. The seal was discovered dead in Beachport, South Australia, on August 19. The South Australian government announced the discovery on Sunday, stating that authorities were not surprised to find the infection in other wildlife, particularly marine mammals.

The seal was found by a member of the public and tests confirmed the presence of the H5 strain of avian influenza. Federal agriculture minister Julie Collins said while the development was concerning, it was not unexpected to see the infection in other wildlife. There have been 297 positive H5 bird flu events involving birds across Australia, with 182 cases in South Australia.

The highly-contagious strain of avian influenza, which originated in Western Australia in mid-June, has spread rapidly worldwide. So far, there have been no confirmed cases in Australia's poultry industry.