The first suspected case of a deadly strain of bird flu that has killed millions of birds and mammals worldwide has been found in Western Australia, the federal government has confirmed.The highly pathogenic avian influenza, known as H5, has devastated populations of seabirds, seals and other animals across the world.If confirmed, the WA case would mark the first confirmation of the virus on mainland Australia.Australia is the last continent in the world without a confirmed case.On Friday afternoon, Federal Agricultural Minister Julie Collins said the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development was investigating."[The suspected case is] in a single migratory wild bird that was found sick in an isolated area in southern Western Australia," she said."The initial testing at the Western Australian laboratory has returned a suspected positive result for avian influenza."Collins said samples had been sent to CSIRO's Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness.She said the results were expected on Saturday."We cannot confirm yet whether it is the strain of concern that is circulating, at this stage, known as the H5 bird flu," she said."There is no evidence of mass mortality at this time, nor is there any evidence of any infection in poultry."Collins said Western Australia would coordinate a response, with the national coordination to be led by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.Keep 'safe distance' from sick birdsThe minister asked Australians not to touch sick or dead birds or animals."If you see multiple sick or dead birds or other animals. Please take photos or record it from a safe distance," Collins said."Record your location and go to birdflu.gov.au to report it."She said Australia had been preparing for the H5 strain for some time."If it is confirmed to be the H5 bird flu, this will be sobering but not unexpected given the spread globally," she said."I want to reassure the public that we're well placed to respond to and to manage this situation."The Australian government has called together a meeting of the states and territories and industry experts to discuss the issue.- ABC