A possible bird flu infection in a fox triggered concerns of long-distance spread. Australia has just 12,000 sea lions remaining, and scientists noted that severe loss may await Australia's remaining 12,000 sea lions as bird flu spreads.

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