Australian first case of mammal bird flu

The seal was found dead in South Australia, and the influenza strain is the same high-pathogenic one that has killed birds across the globe.

Officials say remain murky about the risk to other mammals, including people, but the case watchfully expands the outbreak’s reach beyond birds.

The confirmation comes week after the government scrambled to trace and quarantine infected poultry flocks.

Scientists said it is likely that the seal was in contact with paddling birds, but the pattern is still being processed.