H5N1 Kills Endangered Australian Sea Lions, Spurring Mammal Vaccine Bid

South Australia confirmed H5N1 in five Australian sea lions, plus fur seals, a dolphin and a pelican, as ~900 dead crested terns turned up near Kangaroo Island. The state is seeking federal approval for a mammal vaccine trial while a bird vaccine trial at Cleland Wildlife Park has given over 150 doses since August.

Why it matters: No US poultry or human cases involved; this is a wildlife-only outbreak abroad with no supply, price or biosecurity change for US egg producers.

Sources