Australia confirms first H5N1 bird flu case in local mammal

World Australiahealth Australia confirms first H5N1 bird flu case in local mammal First Bird Flu Case Without Animal Contact Confirmed In Us Relevant News Australia confirms first H5N1 bird flu case in local mammal 23 August 2026 Trump again labels Strait of Hormuz ‘new US territory’ as Iran warns sanctions supporters 23 August 2026 Labour Ministry open to changes as €58m in undeclared work debts face write-off 23 August 2026 newsroom 23 August 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Australia on Sunday 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. The country’s first mass seabird deaths from the virus occurred this month, marking an escalation of the ​outbreak ⁠that began after the virus was first detected in migratory seabirds before spreading to native species. South Australian authorities confirmed the nation’s first mammalian detection in the seal, found at the coastal town of Beachport, about 310 km (190 miles) 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.” 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. Seals are at high risk of contracting the virus, said South Australia’s chief veterinary officer, Skye Fruean, because they live very near wild birds on rocky outcrops on the coast. “They would be coming across, no doubt, really high levels of the virus in their environment,” Fruean said in televised remarks. H5N1 has not shown up in Australia’s poultry or agriculture, according to the federal government, which said on Friday that 297 cases have been confirmed nationwide. (Reuters) Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Trump again labels Strait of Hormuz ‘new US territory’ as Iran warns sanctions supporters Labour Ministry open to changes as €58m in undeclared work debts face write-off Charalambos Alexandrou: Turkey had been trying to dismantle the Republic of Cyprus since 1963 Search continues for 22 after bulk carrier sinks off India Cyprus beach safety under scrutiny after jet ski crash and lifeguard shortages Police arrest seven in overnight Cyprus crackdown, check more than 1,100 people Cyprus temperatures reach 39C as mountain rain possible from Monday Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.