Arabic version: أستراليا تسجل أول إصابة بإنفلونزا الطيور H5 لدى ثدييات

According to SBS News, Australia has recorded its first confirmed H5 bird flu infection in a mammal after a long-nosed fur seal at Beachport in South Australia tested positive on Sunday.

Authorities believe the seal may have contracted the virus from wild birds. The case follows rising bird fatalities since bird flu was first detected on Australia’s shores in June.

Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said the development was distressing but not unexpected, particularly for marine mammals in places with high infection rates among wild birds. She said significant losses could not be avoided once H5 bird flu was spreading in the natural environment.

South Australia has recorded the most confirmed cases, with 182 positive detections. Victoria has reported 86 cases, while New South Wales has recorded 11, Western Australia 10 and Tasmania nine.

Invasive Species Council chief executive Jack Gough said mammal-to-mammal transmission overseas had led to high mortality rates among seals, especially pups. No cases have been detected in an agricultural setting, and the health risk to humans remains low. The public has been urged to report sick-looking birds and not approach or touch them.