Western Australia has recorded its fourth confirmed detection of H5 bird flu in a migratory seabird on the State’s South Coast.
Western Australia has recorded its fourth confirmed detection of H5 bird flu in a migratory seabird on the State’s South Coast.
CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness today confirmed the H5 bird flu strain in the previously reported suspect giant petrel found at Roses Beach, west of Esperance.
There has now been a total of five confirmed detections of H5 bird flu in Australia, including four in WA and one in South Australia.
All of the detections have involved migratory seabirds that are known to occasionally visit southern Australia.
There is still no evidence of spread or large-scale deaths in local wildlife or any detections in poultry.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is leading the response in WA, with a focus on enhanced surveillance and early detection in this investigative phase.
The response is being coordinated across multiple levels of government, involving joint efforts from DPIRD, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, local governments and other State agencies.
Divisional commands have been established in the South West and South Coast.
Surveillance along the Esperance coast continues and the DPIRD patrol vessel PV Hamelin will be deployed to support monitoring in the area.
This will enable observations of wildlife colonies in priority areas for any signs of ill health, death or unusually low numbers of species that would normally populate the islands in winter.
A community meeting will be held in Esperance early next week for authorities to share an update on the State’s response activities.
Training sessions are also being delivered with DBCA to support local governments, veterinarians and wildlife rehabilitators to safely retrieve sick or dead birds.
DPIRD is encouraging the community to continue to report unwell or deceased birds through to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
There has been more than 672 reports from WA to the Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) hotline since Friday 19 June. These reports are being prioritised by DPIRD for further investigation or testing, based on the risk of H5 bird flu.
To date, a total of 25 negative test results have been recorded for coastal regions across the State, including the Esperance area, Mid West, Great Southern, South West, Peel and the Perth metropolitan area.
Anyone who sees sick or dead birds or marine mammals should AVOID and not handle the animals but RECORD and take photos or a video and REPORT to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
More information is available on the Australian Government’s Bird Flu (Avian influenza) website .
Background: Confirmed WA detections
19 June Brown skua – South Coast, Cape le Grand area, east of Esperance
23 June Giant petrel – South Coast, Cape le Grand area, east of Esperance
27 June Giant petrel – South West coast, Quindalup
30 June Giant petrel – South Coast, west of Esperance
