Australia on Saturday confirmed its first mainland case of the deadly H5 strain of bird flu, detected in a migratory sea bird — a brown skua — in a remote part of Western Australia.

Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said at a press briefing in Canberra that the development means the highly contagious variant of avian influenza is now present on every continent. "We all knew we couldn't be bird flu-free forever," she stated.

The bird was found near a beach at Cape Le Grand National Park, about 700 kilometers from Perth. The test result was confirmed by the national science agency.

Collins noted there is no evidence of mass mortalities or infection in poultry at this time. However, the H5 strain has caused high death rates in poultry and wild birds globally, and has also affected mammals such as cats, goats, alpacas, and pigs.

Australia had been preparing for the variant's arrival with stricter biosecurity at farms, testing of shore birds, and vaccinations among vulnerable species. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the detection concerning and said the government would take steps to curb the spread.

Source: www.dw.com