Dolphin contracts bird flu as staff pulled from island

Staff from the Australian territory of Macquarie Island are to be evacuated due to a worsening bird flu outbreak, with a dolphin testing positive to the virus. The Australian Antarctic Division will remove its scientists to safeguard their mental health. South Australia has reported 46 new bird flu cases, including the first detection in a dolphin.

Other species impacted include a fox, a brown falcon, and an Australian raven. Tasmania has found approximately 100 dead penguins on King Island. Authorities are addressing feral cat control to reduce their threat to native bird species. While human health risk from bird flu remains low, there are concerns that a significant mortality event during the seal breeding season could cause severe psychological distress to the 24 staff members on Macquarie Island, home to over 80,000 southern elephant seals and millions of breeding seabirds.

The island was established in 1948 and lies halfway between Tasmania and Antarctica. The Australian government is taking the threat seriously and plans to send the RSV Nuyina icebreaking research vessel to extract the staff and cargo in early October.