Australia confirms its first case of H5N1 bird flu in a brown skua in Western Australia.
The virus, identified as clade 2.3.4.4b, has caused a global pandemic impacting millions of wild birds and mammals.
Experts believe marine birds roaming the Southern Ocean were likely responsible for introducing the virus to the continent.
Public vigilance is advised; do not handle sick animals and report suspicious sightings to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline.