Dolphin dies from H5 bird flu in SA as researchers withdrawn from sub-Antarctic island over ‘psychosocial risk’

Researchers at a remote Antarctic outpost are being evacuated due to concerns over psychological stress, as authorities investigate the welfare of expeditioners in isolated conditions. Meanwhile, a concerning discovery on King Island has raised alarms, with nearly 100 dead little penguins found, though testing for H5 bird flu has been ruled out due to their advanced decomposition. Separately, a dolphin in South Australia has died after contracting the H5 bird flu strain, marking the second native mammal species confirmed to have been affected by the virus. Authorities are now assessing whether the penguin deaths could be linked to the spreading avian influenza outbreak.

Expeditioners at research station on Macquarie Island will be evacuated over possible ‘psychological stress’, while 100 dead little penguins found on Tasmanian islandGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA dolphin has died from H5 bird flu in South Australia, marking the second native mammal species known to have contracted the virus.On Friday afternoon, the Tasmanian government said it was assessing the discovery of about 100 dead little penguins on King Island but it was unable to test them for H5 bird flu due to their “decayed condition”. Continue reading...