Australia Confirms First Bird Flu Case in Native Mammal

Australia confirmed its first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in a mammal on Sunday, after the deadly virus was detected in a long-nosed seal in the state of South Australia.

Australia has been grappling with a rising number of H5N1 cases since the disease reached the country in June.

Authorities in South Australia confirmed the first case of the virus in a mammal in this same seal, which was found in the coastal town of Beachport, about 310 km (192 miles) south of Adelaide, the state capital.

The seal, which belonged to a population estimated at 100,000 in the state's waters, was found dead with no signs of injury, officials said.

Its death "does not appear to be associated with other sick or dead marine mammals", Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said in a television appearance.

"Once the H5 bird flu is spreading in the natural environment it is not possible to avoid significant losses", Collins added.

(Reuters)