A fur seal is under observation for potential infection with H5N1 bird flu as the first case of the deadly virus in a local species has been confirmed in South Australia.
The detection of bird flu in a local bird marks a dramatic escalation in the risk to local wildlife, with experts warning that it reveals the virus’s potential to spread across the continent.
This masthead understands a juvenile New Zealand fur seal in NSW is under observation for potential infection. If confirmed, it would be the first infection in an Australian mammal species.
Scientists are testing to confirm their suspicion that a greater crested tern in South Australia is infected with the H5N1 strain, which has killed hundreds of millions of birds worldwide, as well as marine mammals.
Agriculture Minister Julie Collins, who is responsible for biosecurity, said on Friday that testing has confirmed four more H5 bird flu cases in Australia, bringing the total to 12 detections.
The suspected infection of a crested tern, which are not a migratory species, means it may have caught the virus from an overseas species.
Collins said it was a “concerning development”.
“This is a coastal seabird that has an overlapping coastal range with migratory seabirds that have previously tested positive for H5,” Collins said.
“I’ve been briefed this morning by Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer on this development and our experts are continuing to meet to discuss the ongoing response.”
The spread of H5N1 in the US had severe consequences on its poultry industry. More than 170 million birds have been culled since 2022 and egg prices tripled by 2025.
“This is the first sign that the virus has spread from Southern Ocean birds into mainland wildlife species,” Invasive Species Council chief executive Jack Gough said.
During recent weeks, eight seabirds infected with H5N1 virus had been found in NSW, Western Australia and South Australia.
These birds had landed in Australia after contracting the virus on Antarctic islands, where the virus had migrated from South America.
It is believed an outbreak of H5N1 in Australia could spark an environmental disaster that risks the extinction of dozens of species, including marine mammals that are also susceptible.
Infected seabirds arriving in Australia contracted the virus in the Southern Ocean after it spread rapidly around the bottom end of the world, starting from South America.
Experts think an outbreak in both wild and farmed birds is almost inevitable.
More to come.
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Mike Foley is the climate and energy correspondent for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via email.From our partners
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