H5 bird flu has been detected in a Southern elephant seal and a kelp gull on Macquarie Island.
Samples collected from a Southern elephant seal and a kelp gull on Macquarie Island were returned with island personnel and subsequently tested returning a positive result for H5 bird flu.
This is the first recorded detection in a marine mammal in Tasmania.
As bird flu continues to be detected in Tasmania, members of the public are encouraged to continue reporting sick or dead birds. Reports play an important role in helping authorities detect and respond to potential cases.
Avoid contact with sick or dead birds and report sightings through https://nre.tas.gov.au/reportbirdflu or by calling the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania provides regular public updates through media releases. The latest testing and surveillance figures are updated on the department’s website.
