Growing outbreak of H5N1 bird flu in South Australia a threat to endangered sea lions, expert warns

Authorities in South Australia (SA) are warning that a growing H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak could soon spread from birds to endangered sea lions. The first suspected mainland case in Australia was detected in a seagull on the state’s south-east coast, bringing SA totals to 21 suspected cases plus 19 confirmed cases. By Friday (July 31), other states and territories reported 14 confirmed cases. Of 40 confirmed or suspected cases in SA, 33 were detected since Monday, including four on Kangaroo Island. One was at Seal Bay, home to about 5% of the global Australian sea lion population.