Findings on Heard Island ‘reinforces the need for Australia to remain focused on preparing for an outbreak’ of deadly strain, officials say. Follow today’s news live • Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast

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Australian scientists recently observed signs consistent with H5 avian influenza, or bird flu, in elephant seals during a voyage to Heard Island in the sub-Antarctic.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) said officials had not made a confirmed detection of bird flu but said the findings “reinforces the need for Australia to remain focused on preparing for an outbreak”. Australia is the only continent that does not have the highly contagious strain of H5 bird flu.

Scientists obs

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