Bird flu jumps species as four dead seals in Scotland test positive

The avian flu virus that’s infected hundreds of thousands of birds in the United Kingdom has branched out to other animals.

The carcasses of four seals found in different locations in Scotland over the past week have all tested positive for the avian influenza strain, researchers say. Scientists believe the seals caught the virus from the high number of wild birds that are carrying the disease.

“Bird flu has been confirmed in seals in Scotland,” reads a statement issued by the Scottish Marine Animal Strandings Scheme. “We’re hoping to send more cases for screening to better understand what this means in terms of disease ecology and epidemiology.”