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🇦🇺 Australia /Health & Science

Suspected bird flu case detected in NSW wild seabird

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Ongoing story
  • A suspected case of H5 bird flu has been detected in a wild migratory seabird near Hawks Nest, New South Wales.
  • Preliminary tests on a giant petrel were positive for the H5 strain, with samples sent for confirmation to the CSIRO.
  • The NSW government has informed the poultry industry, stating the risk to human health remains low and there is no current impact on commercial poultry.

New South Wales authorities are investigating a suspected case of bird flu after a wild migratory seabird tested positive for the H5 strain in preliminary tests. The bird, a giant petrel found near Hawks Nest on the Mid North Coast, has had its samples sent to the national laboratory for confirmation.

We don't know yet if it is the worst strain of the virus

— Tara MoriartyNSW Agriculture Minister commenting on the preliminary bird flu test results.

State Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty announced the finding, emphasizing that the bird was wild and likely arrived from overseas. "We don't know yet if it is the worst strain of the virus," she stated, noting that results from the CSIRO are expected soon. This marks the first suspected positive result for a wild migratory seabird in NSW.

While the government has alerted the commercial poultry industry, Moriarty assured the public that there has been no spread to domestic flocks. "We haven't had any reports of the poultry industry being impacted," she said, adding that the state is prepared for various scenarios. The risk to human health is considered low.

Samples of this bird have been sent to the national testing lab in Geelong.

— Tara MoriartyNSW Agriculture Minister confirming the next steps in the testing process.

This incident follows a confirmed bird flu case in Western Australia last month, where a brown skua seabird tested positive. Since then, WA has recorded four more cases, and South Australia has had one. The H5N1 2.3.4.4b strain has been spreading globally through wild birds, causing significant mortality in poultry and marine mammals worldwide.

We haven't had any reports of the poultry industry being impacted

— Tara MoriartyNSW Agriculture Minister reassuring about the lack of impact on commercial poultry farms.

Authorities are increasing surveillance efforts in NSW. "This is one bird, a wild, migratory bird has been found," Moriarty said. "There are no other birds that have been found to be positive of H5 at the moment [in the state] but we are now increasing our surveillance."

This is one bird, a wild, migratory bird has been found. There are no other birds that have been found to be positive of H5 at the moment [in the state] but we are now increasing our surveillance.

— Tara MoriartyNSW Agriculture Minister providing an update on the situation and increased surveillance measures.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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