First suspect positive H5 bird flu case detected in NSW; new suspect detection reported in WA
First suspect positive H5 bird flu case detected in NSW;
new suspect detection reported
in WA
Dear members and stakeholders,
New South Wales is responding to a suspect positive case of H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza (H5 bird flu).
Samples from a Giant Petrel near Hawks Nest have tested positive for H5 influenza in preliminary testing at DPIRD’s laboratory at Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute. Samples have been sent to CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) to confirm if it is the H5 bird flu strain.
This marks the first wild migratory seabird in NSW to return a suspect positive result for H5 bird flu.
Western Australia also recorded a new suspect positive detection of H5 bird flu in a migratory seabird on a northern Perth beach. Samples have been sent to ACDP to confirm the results and determine if it is the H5 bird flu strain of concern.
At this stage, there have only been confirmed detections in vagrant migratory seabirds that occasionally visit southern Australia.
Australia has five confirmed detections of H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza (H5 bird flu) in wild birds. There are four confirmed in Western Australia (WA) and one in South Australia (SA).
The current risk of bird flu to people in Australia is low.
No detections in poultry in Australia
There continue to be no detections in poultry anywhere in Australia, and no impacts on poultry production have been reported.
National and state response arrangements remain focused on surveillance, epidemiological assessment and determining the extent of infection in migratory wildlife populations.
What you can do
The community is encouraged to report sick or dead birds or marine mammals. If you see multiple sick or dead animals, do not touch them:
avoid contact
record what you see, including photographs if safe to do so
report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
People should also keep pets away from wildlife, including preventing cats from roaming and keeping dogs on leads in wildlife areas.
If you own, care for, or work with birds, maintain good biosecurity practices. Prevent contact between wild birds and poultry, keep equipment clean, wash hands thoroughly before and after handling birds, and monitor birds for signs of disease or sudden deaths.
Further information is available at birdflu.gov.au.
Animal Health Australia will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide members with further updates as information becomes available.
Kind regards,
Animal Health Australia