Deadly bird flu lands in another Australian state as cases rise

The H5N1 bird flu has landed in a second state within days of its arrival in Australia as case numbers rise.

Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins confirmed a migratory petrel bird found on Knights Beach in South Australia has tested positive for avian influenza at a press conference alongside Premier Peter Malinauskas on Wednesday.

“This is obviously concerning, but given the spread of H5 globally, it is not unexpected that other migratory birds may have arrived at other locations across the Australian coastline,” she said.

Malinauskas said the infected bird did not cross from Western Australia to South Australia but migrated from outside mainland Australia into his state.

“This is something we’ve been preparing for. In fact, the active monitoring has seen over 760 tests conducted in South Australia since the start of this year,” he said.

It comes as Western Australia confirmed a third suspected positive case of H5N1 bird flu on Wednesday.

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Western Australia’s Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis said a migratory seabird was found in the Quindalup area in the state’s south-west.

This follows the discovery of two dead birds that tested positive for H5N1 near Esperance last week. 

Investigations have revealed the first infected bird in Western Australia, a brown skua, has been traced back to the subantarctic territories of Heard and McDonald Islands.

Testing on the other birds is under way.

There is also no indication bird flu spread between the two infected birds in Western Australia.

Eight other birds found along the coast from Esperance to Geraldton in Western Australia, and two birds from Fowlers Bay in South Australia, were also tested but all returned negative results.

Collins said there is no evidence of any mass mortality or infection within the agricultural production sector.

The positive cases also prompted Papua New Guinea’s Agriculture and Quarantine Inspection Authority to temporarily suspend Australian poultry and egg imports.

Collins said she spoke to our northern neighbour to have that suspension lifted, with some exceptions.

“We appreciate PNG’s willingness to work cooperatively and to remove some of these restrictions,” she said.

Australia’s largest poultry producer, Inghams Group, announced precautionary measures across all of its Western Australian sites in response to the H5N1 bird flu threat, including a complete lockdown of farms and processing operations.

As the domestic agricultural industry is on edge, authorities are urging residents to avoid, record and report sick or dead birds.

About 97 per cent of chicken meat produced is consumed domestically, while only 3 per cent is exported, Collins said.

“Chicken meat and eggs as prepared normally is perfectly safe to eat,” she said.

Australia has enacted its biosecurity measures and the federal government is coordinating a national response with the states and territories.

The federal government had invested $113 million into preparing to receive the H5N1 bird flu as its arrival to mainland Australia – which was the only continent free from the deadly and contagious disease – was seen as inevitable.

Invasive Species Council policy director Carol Booth said the development was deeply concerning.

“The concern now is not whether Australia is taking the threat seriously – it clearly is. The concern is how well our wildlife will cope when bird flu inevitably reaches more native bird and mammal populations,” she said.

“Whether this particular outbreak is contained or not, one thing is now beyond doubt: highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu has arrived on mainland Australia and poses a serious long-term threat to wildlife.”