The first case of bird flu in a marine mammal has been confirmed in Sweden, AFP and TASS reported, citing a statement from the country's Veterinary Medical Service.

The H5N1 virus was found in a porpoise - a representative of the order Cetaceans, family Dolphins.

A young male specimen was found washed ashore in the western province of Västra Jötaland in June this year.

He was exhausted, unable to swim in deeper water, and died shortly thereafter.

The autopsy revealed the presence of the bird flu virus that caused the meningitis.

"As far as we know, this is the world's first confirmed case of avian influenza in a dolphin," says veterinarian at the service Elina Thorson in a statement, quoted by BTA.

Bird flu ravages a seabird colony on the Farne Islands

The H5N1 virus caused a large outbreak of infection among wild birds this summer.

It is not yet clear how the porpoise contracted it.

H5N1 was found in several dead seabirds on the west coast of Sweden.

The marine mammal is believed to have been in contact with sick birds.

bird flue

dolphin