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 bird, a brown skua, returned a suspected positive result for Avian influenza in Western Australia. Following this, the Federal Agriculture Minister asked Australians not to touch sick animals and to report anything they find suspicious of H5 bird flu.

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.

Migratory seabird known as brown skua tests positive for avian influenza