Australia has officially confirmed its first case of the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu, marking the virus’s arrival on the mainland for the first time.

Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said the case was detected in a migratory brown skua found sick near Esperance in Western Australia.

Authorities stressed that the virus has not been detected in domestic poultry and there is currently no evidence of widespread transmission.

Experts are closely monitoring the situation, warning that native wildlife, including seabirds, penguins, swans, seals, and sea lions, could be particularly vulnerable to the disease.

Officials have urged the public to avoid contact with sick or dead birds while surveillance and containment measures continue.

As the last continent to confirm an H5N1 case, Australia is now on high alert to prevent the virus from spreading among wildlife populations.