The deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu is suspected to have reached mainland Australia for the first time.

The H5 avian influenza has never been detected on mainland Australia before — the last continent on Earth without a confirmed case.

Agriculture Minister Julie Collins announced on Friday a bird has died and the initial test was positive for H5N1. Further tests will be performed for confirmation.

Amidst the deadly scare of bird flu, Australia was the only continent that was untouched by the highly destructive global H5 bird flu strain and was safe until a dead migratory…