Australia records first H5N1 case in a mammal as bird flu outbreak expands

Australia confirmed Sunday that H5N1 bird flu had been detected in a mammal for the first time, marking another development in the country's rapidly growing outbreak.

The highly pathogenic virus was found in a long-nosed fur seal in South Australia, officials said.

Australia had been dealing with an increasing number of H5N1 infections since the virus was first detected in the country in June. The outbreak initially appeared in migratory seabirds before spreading to native bird populations.

Earlier this month, authorities reported Australia's first mass deaths of seabirds linked to the virus, signaling a significant escalation in the outbreak.