Australia confirms first case of H5N1 bird flu as virus reaches every continent (opens original article in a new tab)

Australia has confirmed its first case of H5N1 bird flu in a migratory seabird, making the strain present on every continent. The case was found in a brown skua in Western Australia, with a second suspected case reported. Human infections remain rare.

• Australia confirms first H5N1 bird flu case in a brown skua in Western Australia.
• H5N1 now present on all continents, previously absent in Australia.
• Second suspected case in a southern petrel, no evidence of mass mortalities yet.