Australian authorities assess low human risk from H5N1 bird flu found in seals

Australia's Centre for Disease Control has identified a H5N1 2.3.4.4b strain in seals but judges the probability of human infection as minimal, with no cases reported locally. Worldwide, the clade has produced 141 infections and 24 fatalities since its emergence in Europe six years prior. Specialists explain that while bird flu rarely spreads from animals to people, the virus's ability to move among various species could facilitate future mutations.

Human cases usually stem from direct exposure to infected poultry or dairy cattle, and there is no evidence that eating properly cooked eggs or milk transmits the disease. Symptoms can range from fever and cough to conjunctivitis, and the fatality rate for the current clade is lower than earlier versions. Authorities advise hand hygiene, avoiding sick birds, thorough cooking of animal products, and prompt antiviral treatment if exposure occurs, while emphasizing seasonal flu vaccination to reduce co-infection risks.