Scientists fear the deadly H5 strain of bird flu has reached one of Australia's sub-Antarctic islands after signs of the disease were seen in elephant seals on Heard Island.

Wildlife experts who travelled to the volcanic island in the Southern Ocean on the icebreaker RSV Nuyina have observed unusual levels of mortality in elephant seals in recent days.

"Australian scientists have observed signs consistent with H5 avian influenza in wildlife during a management voyage to sub-Antarctic Heard Island," the federal environment and agriculture departments said in a statement.

The suspected arrival of bird flu on the island cannot be confirmed until the ship returns to Australia with samples for testing. Loading

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