The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has confirmed a cormorant found at Narrabeen on the weekend has tested negative for H5 bird flu.
The bird was tested at Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute (EMAI) as part of the ongoing surveillance and analysis underway in response to H5N1.
NSW Chief Veterinary Officer, Jo Coombe, said it is not normal procedure to report negative results, as the Department routinely performs these exclusions.
However, due to the significant interest in this particular case, the Department is reporting that it has tested negative.
“Since the response was stood up on 19 June, many investigations have been conducted relating to sick or dead birds and have all come back negative for H5, apart from the one confirmed Giant Petrel near Hawks Nest on the weekend,” Dr Coombe said.
“There are no detections in poultry or evidence of spread to local wildlife or large-scale deaths in any animals.
“The risk to human health remains low.
“I would like to remind members of the community if unusual deaths or illness in wild birds are observed please AVOID contact, RECORD by taking photos or video and REPORT immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) Hotline on 1800 675 888.
“Australia remains well prepared to respond quickly to H5 bird flu.”
