Australia confirms first H5N1 bird flu case in local mammal

SYDNEY - Australia on Aug 23 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, the authorities said.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.Australia reported its first mass seabird deaths from the virus in August, marking an escalation of the ​outbreak ⁠that began after the virus was first detected in migratory seabirds before spreading to native species.The virus has yet to show up in Australia’s poultry or agriculture, according to the federal government, which said on Aug 21 that 297 cases have so far been confirmed nationwide.Australia was the last ⁠continent ​to report bird flu, although the ​virus was detected in late 2025 on the sub-Antarctic territory of Heard ​Island.More than 13,000 baby seals were killed by the virus on the island, according to local media. REUTERS