Asia & Pacific
A test tube labelled “bird flu“, eggs and a piece of paper in the colors of the Australian national flag are seen in this picture illustration taken on Jan. 14, 2023. (Reuters/Dado Ruvic)
Australia on Sunday confirmed its first case of H5N1 bird flu in a mammal, with the deadly virus found in a long-nosed fur seal in South Australia state.Australia has been grappling with rising cases of the highly pathogenic avian influenza after it landed in the country in June. The country's first mass seabird deaths from the virus occurred this month, marking an escalation of the outbreak that began after the virus was first detected in migratory seabirds before spreading to native species.
South Australian authorities confirmed the nation's first mammalian detection in the seal, found at the coastal town of Beachport, about 310 kilometers south of Adelaide, the state capital.
The seal, one of an estimated population of 100,000 in the state's waters, was found dead with no signs of injury, the authorities said.
