Australia's CSIRO is examining a red fox for suspected H5N1 avian influenza infection, signalling its first land mammal test for the virus. Outbreaks of avian flu across Australia put at risk local wildlife. Affected animals include an elephant seal in a Victorian risk zone, with a case found in Merri-bek.
In South Dakota, avian flu has struck 77,700 birds, increasing the total four-year outbreak total to 8.1 million birds. Beyond these reported cases, experts caution that garden bird feeding might serve as a major spreading vector.