Fur seal‘s death marks first Australian mainland mammal fatality from spreading H5 bird flu strain
Summary
A long-nosed fur seal in South Australia died from the H5 bird flu virus, marking the first mammal death from this virus on the Australian mainland. The virus has also caused bird deaths on nearby islands and has been found in a little penguin on Kangaroo Island.Key Facts
- The fur seal was found dead at Beachport on South Australia’s Limestone Coast.
- This is the first confirmed H5 bird flu death in a mammal on the Australian mainland.
- The South Australian government reported over 1,000 bird deaths on offshore islands recently.
- The H5 bird flu virus is highly contagious and has killed millions of birds worldwide.
- The virus has also infected mammals such as elephant seals.
- The federal government considers long-nosed fur seals and Australian sea lions at very high risk from this virus.
- A little penguin on Kangaroo Island tested positive for H5 bird flu this week.
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