Fur seal death marks first Australian mainland mammal fatality from H5 bird flu

A long-nosed fur seal found dead in South Australia has become the first confirmed mammal fatality from H5 bird flu on the Australian mainland, marking an escalation of the virus's spread. This case follows recent mass mortality events affecting over 1,000 greater crested terns on offshore islands and another infected little penguin at Kangaroo Island. The highly pathogenic strain poses significant risk to multiple Australian mammal species, including endangered sea lions.