MELBOURNE, Aug 23 — Australia has confirmed its first case of H5 bird flu in a mammal after a long-nosed fur seal in the state of South Australia tested positive for the virus, authorities said today, reported Xinhua.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins said the seal was found at Beachport, about 300 km south of Adelaide, South Australia’s capital.

“This is sadly our first confirmed case of H5 bird flu in a mammal in Australia,” Collins told reporters.

The infection was likely caused by exposure to infected wild birds or their shared environment, Collins said, adding that there was no indication at this stage that the detection was associated with other sick or dead marine mammals.

There have now been 298 positive H5 bird flu events recorded across Australia, including 183 in South Australia.

Authorities said there remains no evidence of H5 bird flu infection in Australia’s poultry or agricultural production systems. — Bernama-Xinhua