Australia records first case of bird flu in a mammal

It's the first confirmed case of the strain in a mammal in Australia and is believed to have been contracted from wild birds.

Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said while the development was distressing, it was not unexpected. 

"Although this is a concerning development, it is not unexpected for us to start to see infection in other wildlife, particularly in marine mammals, particularly in areas where there are high infection rates in wild birds," she said.

"Sadly, we also know that once the H5 bird flu is spreading in the natural environment, it is not possible to avoid significant losses."

Chief executive of the Invasive Species Council Jack Gough said overseas mammal-to-mammal transmission had resulted in high fatality rates.

"We know from South America and Antarctica that mammal-to-mammal transmission among seals quickly led to high mortality rates, particularly among pups," he said.

"We are still just at the early stages of this devastating virus and the bad news is going to keep coming for our wildlife as it spreads around the continent and between species."

It comes after increasing numbers of bird fatalities have been recorded after the virus was first detected on Australia's shores in June.

South Australia has the highest number of confirmed cases of the virus with 182 positive detections.

Victoria has recorded 86 cases, Western Australia has recorded 10, followed by NSW with 11 and nine in Tasmania.

There have so far been no cases detected in an agricultural setting and the health risk to humans remains low.

The public is urged to report birds that look sick to authorities and not to approach or touch them.