A possible bird flu infection in a fox raised fears of long-distance spread. Australia has just 12,000 sea lions surviving, and scientists cautioned that devastation may await Australia's remaining 12,000 sea lions as bird flu takes hold.

An expert stated that backyard bird feeding could become a bird flu superspreader. The suspected infection in a fox fueled fears about long-distance transmission. Scientists warned that devastation may impact the remaining 12,000 sea lions in Australia as bird flu establishes itself across animal species.