Aussie animals at risk from global threat experts warn, after bird flu case confirmed

Australia’s first case of the deadly H5 bird flu has been officially confirmed, with a second infection currently under investigation.

It’s resulted in a race to protect the nation’s wildlife with Aussie animal icons now at risk from the global threat.

The devastating H5 strain has officially been confirmed in a migratory seabird found on WA’s south coast.

“This is the highly pathogenic strain of concern that has been circulating globally,” Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said.

The brown skua was found at Cape Le Grand National Park near Esperance and taken in by a carer.

Not long after, a giant petrel in the same area also returned a suspected positive test. Both birds have since died.

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“While this is an isolated incident, we should prepare ourselves that other birds and marine mammals may be impacted,” Jackie Jarvis, WA Agriculture Minister, said.

Rangers and wildlife carers now on the ground in Esperance with more than a dozen calls received for reports of dead birds, which are now being tested.

“If it does establish in Australia there’s very little we can do to stop the spread,” Dr Fiona Fraser, Threatened Species Commissioner, said.

The disease has spread around the world, wiping out millions of birds and animals - including 75 per cent of elephant seal pups on Heard Island, off WA’s coast.

“It is like walking into a graveyard,” Birdlife Australia CEO Kate Millar said.

“All it was, was a sea of devastation, of carcasses, of those 13,000 seal pups.

Species only found in Australia could be at risk, including the black swan, little penguin and Tasmanian devil.

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“Based on the overseas experience there could clearly be population level impacts for our species,” Fraser said.

Tailored plans are now in place for animals under threat.

“It really is a genuine threat of extinction risk we are facing for those threatened species that are already under so much pressure in such low numbers,” Millar said.

Farmers are also on alert with the disease costing billions overseas.

“If it gets into the commercial farming industry and it’s a long way from doing that, but if it did the consequences economically and socially for regional Australian furniture would be enormous,” Mike Guerin, CEO of National Farmers Federation said.

There are concerns unique backyard chickens will have to go, to protect commercial flocks.

“Some of the breeds bred in WA are 500-600 years old,” WA poultry association president Reece Jerrett told 9News.

“Any of the breeds of chicken with the fluffy heads, curly feathers or fluffy feet.”

At this stage, the risk to humans is low as it’s only spread by sustained contact with infected animals.

But the government will need help from the community if there’s any chance of keeping this disease at bay.

Pets should steer clear of birds too with the advice to keep dogs on leashes in wildlife areas and prevent cats from roaming.

People should stay away from sick or dead birds and instead, record it and call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 or visit birdflu.gov.au.