Australia records its first mammal infection of H5 bird flu in a seal

Australia has confirmed its inaugural case of H5 bird flu in a mammal after a long-nosed fur seal recovered at Beachport, about 300 kilometres south of Adelaide, tested positive. Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins told reporters in Hobart that the seal’s infection probably stemmed from contact with infected wild birds or contaminated surroundings, and that, to date, no other sick or dead marine mammals have been linked to the virus.

Since the outbreak began, authorities have logged 298 separate H5 incidents across the country, though poultry and farm animals remain unaffected. Collins emphasized that while the development is concerning, it aligns with expectations of wildlife transmission in regions with high bird infection rates. She will visit South Australia in the coming days to review the state’s containment measures and response strategy.