H5 bird flu found in dead dolphin off South Australia
A dolphin washed ashore at Encounter Bay has tested positive for H5 bird flu.
A dead common dolphin found at Encounter Bay on the Fleurieu Peninsula has tested positive for H5 bird flu. South Australia's chief veterinary officer said the dolphin likely encountered an infected wild bird by chance.
The state has now recorded 340 bird flu events, though recent detections have slowed. There is low risk of a widespread dolphin outbreak, but seals and sea lions remain a concern.
No recent events have shown mass deaths. A vaccination program has finished for selected birds at Cleland Wildlife Park and is halfway completed at Zoos SA sites, with plans to expand to wild little penguins on Granite Island, Penneshaw and Emu Bay pending a start date.
- 340
- Bird flu events
- Encounter Bay, Fleurieu Peninsula
- Location
- Common dolphin
- Species affected
Why it mattersBird flu jumping to marine mammals signals the virus's spread and adaptability. Expanding vaccination to wild populations is a critical step to limit further spread.
AustraliaSouth Australians depend on coastal wildlife and marine ecosystems. The outbreak affects local species, tourism, and the state's response to a growing public health and environmental challenge.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
