First mammal dies from H5 bird flu in Australia
A long-nosed fur seal in South Australia became the country's first mammal fatality from the highly contagious H5 avian influenza.
The seal was found at Beechport in South Australia. It likely caught the virus from infected wild birds or from shared environments, Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said.
The finding was expected but concerning. About 300 H5 cases have been confirmed in Australian wildlife since June.
Most were in South Australia and Victoria. An expert warned sea lions could face extinction risks if the virus spreads to them.
The government says the risk to human health remains low.
Why it mattersThe virus is spreading through wildlife and threatens sea lion populations. Fewer than 10,000 adult sea lions remain in Australia.
Corroborated bytheguardian.com·7news.com.au
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