Fur seal‘s death marks first Australian mainland mammal fatality from spreading H5 bird flu strain

A long-nosed fur seal succumbed to the H5 bird flu virus in South Australia, representing the first recorded mammalian fatality attributable to the disease on the Australian mainland. The seal was discovered deceased at Beachport on the Limestone Coast last Wednesday.

The death represents a troubling milestone in the virus’s spread, following recent reports of three mass mortality events on offshore islands involving over 1,000 greater crested terns. These incidents were disclosed by South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas this week.

The highly pathogenic H5 strain, responsible for devastating wildlife losses globally, has now demonstrated cross-species transmission to mammals. The federal government has identified long-nosed fur seals and the endangered Australian sea lion as animals facing “very high risk” from the virus.

Recent testing also confirmed H5 bird flu presence in a little penguin from Kangaroo Island, further underscoring the expanding reach of the outbreak. Additional updates will be provided as ongoing investigations reveal more about this emerging crisis.