Dolphin dies from H5 bird flu in SA as researchers withdrawn from sub-Antarctic island over ‘psychosocial risk’
Summary
A dolphin in South Australia died from the H5N1 bird flu virus, the second known native mammal in the area to be infected. Due to concerns about possible mass deaths of elephant seals from the virus, the Australian government is removing researchers from the remote Macquarie Island station to protect their mental health.Key Facts
- A common dolphin near Goolwa, South Australia, tested positive for H5N1 bird flu.
- This is the second native mammal in Australia known to catch H5 bird flu, after seals and a red fox.
- Researchers will be withdrawn from Macquarie Island, 1,500 km from Tasmania, due to expected seal deaths during breeding season.
- The government is concerned about the mental health impact on researchers from seeing many dead seals.
- Macquarie Island has large elephant seal populations living close to the research base.
- Bird flu has not yet been found on Macquarie Island but is expected to cause a significant seal death event.
- South Australia will now confirm bird flu cases through local labs instead of relying on a central government lab.
- The government plans to monitor the situation to allow researchers to return in future seasons.
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