Australia's CSIRO is evaluating a red fox for suspected H5N1 avian influenza infection, representing its first test on a land mammal for the virus. Outbreaks of avian flu across Australia pose a growing threat to local wildlife. Impacted species include an elephant seal in a Victorian risk zone, with a case found in Merri-bek.
In South Dakota, avian flu has affected 77,700 birds, pushing the overall four-year outbreak total to 8.1 million birds. In addition to these reported cases, experts warn that backyard bird feeding might serve as a superspreader.