Australia confirms first H5N1 bird flu case as virus reaches every continent

Australia's Department of Agriculture said samples taken from a migratory wading bird in Western Australia have tested positive for H5N1, the BBC reported. This means the virus has now been confirmed on all six inhabited continents; Australia had been the last continent without confirmation. The international reference laboratory in Geelong validated the results.

Defence and biosecurity units said they would step up biosecurity inspections at poultry facilities. Australian wildlife experts said the risk to the country's endemic bird species and seal populations is high. ABC News Australia highlighted warnings that the country could face "catastrophic" species losses if the virus spreads through wild populations.

The health ministry repeated that the public health risk remains low and that there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission. Officials said producer anxiety in eggs and poultry could push prices slightly higher in coming weeks. New Zealand and Indonesia said they were reviewing border biosecurity procedures.