Australia confirms local transmission of H5 bird flu

Australia has confirmed the local transmission of the highly contagious H5 bird flu virus among its wild bird population, marking the end of its long-held status as the only continental landmass free of the strain. This development raises concerns about a potentially wider spread among wild birds.

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This news of some local transmission may mean we start to see wider spread among wild birds.

Chief government veterinary officer Beth Cookson stated that the news of local transmission suggests the virus could begin to spread more broadly among wild birds. "Once the virus becomes widespread in wild bird populations, it will not be possible to avoid losses in susceptible wildlife," Cookson warned. The first case in Australia was identified in a migratory sea bird in June, and scientists had anticipated it would eventually infect local populations.

Testing has confirmed the virus spreading among greater crested terns residing on the coast of South Australia. Cookson noted that while this is a concerning development, it was not entirely unexpected given the birds' shared coastal habitat. Agriculture Minister Julie Collins assured the public that there is currently "no evidence of mass mortalities" and that the risk to human health is minimal. Australia's poultry industry has also remained unaffected by the outbreak.

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Once the virus becomes widespread in wild bird populations, it will not be possible to avoid losses in susceptible wildlife.

Nationally, seven cases have been confirmed in greater crested terns in South Australia, bringing the total number of positive detections to 27. The H5 strain primarily affects waterfowl, shorebirds, seabirds, and birds of prey. Marine mammals have also been impacted, with detections in other animals such as cats, goats, alpacas, and pigs. Four suspected cases have been reported on Kangaroo Island, a popular tourist destination and home to endangered sea lions, prompting the suspension of beach tours to protect the animals.

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While this is a concerning development, it is not unexpected for us to see local transmission in birds that share a coastal habitat.

There are concerns that the bird flu could exacerbate extinction risks for Australia's unique fauna, as a significant proportion of its wild bird and mammal species are found nowhere else. In June, Australian scientists reported that the H5 bird flu strain was responsible for the deaths of over 13,000 elephant seal pups at a breeding colony on the remote Heard and McDonald Islands.

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no evidence of mass mortalities