First case of H5N1 bird flu detected in a sea lion in Australia

It was reported that the "H5N1" type bird flu case was detected in a sea lion for the first time in Australia. According to the news of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), South Australia state officials stated that the sea lion found in the Seal Bay area of ​​Kangaroo Island was injured in a shark attack and died while recovering.

Authorities stated that the cause of death of the sea lion was determined to be bird flu, not a shark attack, and that the animal may have become more vulnerable to the disease due to its wounds. Noting that the sea lion population in the state is decreasing by approximately 2 percent every year, officials underlined that bird flu has "devastating effects" on sea lion and seal populations in different parts of the world.

Authorities stated that bird flu has been detected in 4 different mammal species across the state so far. In Australia, the first case suspected to be caused by the "H5N1" type bird flu virus was detected on June 19, and the first mass death in wild birds was seen on August 3.

On August 25, it was reported that the first bird flu case seen in mammals in the country was detected in a long-nosed fur seal in the state of South Australia.