Xinhua Agency, Sydney, October 25 (Reporters Liang Youchang and Qi Zijian) The Australia government reported on the 24th that the country's scientific researchers have recently observed an unusually large number of deaths of elephant seals on Heard Island in the sub-Antarctic region, suspected of being infected with the H5 avian influenza virus.

Heard Island is an overseas territory of Australia. It is part of Heard Island and the McDonald Islands. It is located about 1700 kilometers north of Antarctica. Australia's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry issued a communiqué on the same day saying that during an environmental survey on Heard Island, the country's scientific researchers found an abnormally large number of elephant seals died, but no abnormal deaths have been found in other species on the island, including penguins. Elephant seal is a larger seal.

According to the observed signs, researchers suspect that the cause of the death of these elephant seals is H5 avian influenza virus. Researchers have collected relevant samples, and after they return to the Australian mainland by boat in mid-November, they will be handed over to relevant departments for testing. It is expected that it will take several weeks to get the results.

It was not surprising to see wild animals suspected of being infected with the H5 bird flu virus in Heath Island, as the virus had previously appeared on French islands less than 450 kilometers from Heath and the McDonalds.

The Australian mainland is currently the only continent that has not been identified with the highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza virus. Heath Island is more than 4,000 kilometers from Perth, Australia, and even if the virus is confirmed on Heath Island, it will not significantly increase the risk of the outbreak on the Australian mainland.