Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been confirmed in two seabirds in Western Australia, marking the first detection of the globally circulating strain on the continent. The virus has previously spread across all other continents, impacting wildlife and mammals.
Posts tagged as “H5N1”
The first confirmed case of H5N1 bird flu in Australia, found in a wild seabird, signifies the virus has now reached every continent. Authorities are monitoring the situation, noting no poultry infections.
Australia has confirmed its first case of the H5N1 bird flu strain in a wild migratory seabird, marking the virus's presence on every continent. The detection raises concerns for animal populations, though human cases remain uncommon.
An estimated 13,000 seal pups have died on the remote sub-Antarctic Heard and McDonald Islands due to a deadly strain of bird flu. Researchers are concerned about the impact on the wider wildlife population.