First H5 bird flu case confirmed on SA metro beach

South Australia has confirmed its first cases of H5 bird flu on a metropolitan beach after two greater crested terns found dead on separate shores tested positive for the virus. The birds were discovered near Robe on the Limestone Coast and at a beach ramp near the Semaphore Surf Life Saving Club, northwest of Adelaide.

Acting Australian chief veterinary officer Sam Hamilton stated that all 20 confirmed or presumed positive detections of H5 bird flu in Australia have involved individual wild seabirds in coastal locations. He emphasized that there is no evidence of mass mortality events or any detections in poultry or the agricultural production system, reassuring that the risk to human health remains low.

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All of these have been individual wild seabirds found in coastal locations. There remains no evidence of any mass mortality events and there are no detections in poultry or in our agricultural production system. The risk to human health remains low.

South Australia now has seven confirmed cases of the virus, with Western Australia reporting 10 and New South Wales two. Queensland also confirmed its first case recently. While previous confirmed cases involved migratory birds, these latest detections are in native Australian species. Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation closely, particularly any potential spread within the bird population and any proximity to poultry facilities.

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We still don't have any evidence of it being anywhere near poultry facilities or the poultry industry, which of course is the biggest risk that we're keeping a close eye on.