Australia confirms first H5N1 infection in native mammal

Australia on Sunday confirmed its first case of H5N1 avian influenza in a native mammal.

South Australian authorities confirmed the country's first detection of the virus in a mammal after a dead seal infected with H5N1 was found in the coastal town of Beachport, around 310 kilometres south of Adelaide, the state capital.

Australia also recorded its first mass seabird deaths caused by the virus this month, indicating a worsening outbreak that began after H5N1 was first detected in migratory seabirds before spreading to native species.