Suspected positive test for H5 bird flu detected in WA, marking first detection ever in Australia

Australia’s first suspected case of a deadly global strain of bird flu has been found in WA, the Federal Government has confirmed.

West Australians have been urged not to touch sick or dead birds or animals after a suspected detection of the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 strain of bird flu in the State.

The strain has already wiped out millions of wild birds and marine mammals globally.

The bird was found sick near Cape Le Grand beach in the national park about 56km east of Esperance in the south of the State on June 14 before being taken into care.

WA Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis said the bird with the suspected case was a brown skua seabird — which is a sub-antarctic bird rarely found in the area.

“The bird subsequently died after being taken into care and isolated for treatment as a result of WA’s established early detection system,” she said.

“A sick giant petrel was also found in the same area due to it also being a sub-Antarctic bird, this has also been tested, and we are awaiting results.

“The WA government is working closely with the Australian government and other relevant organisations to manage the situation.

“If this is confirmed H5 bird incursion, there will be a rapid and coordinated national response in partnership with the Commonwealth.”

Australia’s Agriculture Minister Julie Collins had first confirm the first suspected case of the virus on mainland Australia during a snap press conference in Tasmania on Friday afternoon.

She said the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development was investigating and samples had been sent to CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness.

“We cannot confirm yet whether it is the strain of concern that is circulating at this stage, known as the H5 strain bird flu,” she said.

Ms Collins said the testing is expected to be completed “overnight or early” Saturday and she would fly to Canberra urgently for further briefings across the weekend.

While Ms Collins said there was no evidence of infection in poultry, she urged Australians to be cautious.

“There is no evidence of any mass mortality at this time, nor is there any evidence of infection in poultry,” she said.

“A key message for everyone is, please do not touch sick or dead birds or animals.

“If you see multiple sick or dead birds or other animals, please take photos or record it from a safe distance, record your location and go to Birdflu.gov.au to report it.

“I want everyone to know that this is what we have been preparing for.

“We’ve undertaken a series of national exercises, and we’ve invested $113 million to strengthen our nation’s preparedness for the H5 bird flu, including an additional $11 million in the most recent budget.

“If it is confirmed to be the H5 bird flu, this will be sobering, but not unexpected, given the spread globally.”

She said a second sick migratory bird was also being tested for the H5 strain.

Industry experts and representatives from State and Territories were expected to hold meetings about the virus threat on Friday afternoon.

More than 13,000 baby seals on Heard Island have been killed by the strain after it was first detected on the remote sub-Antarctic island, 4000km southwest of Perth in October.

Scientists who visited Heard Island estimated 76 per cent of the total southern elephant seal pups population had died from the disease.

Invasive Species Council policy director Dr Carol Booth said if the suspected case is proved positive overnight it would be the “realisation of our worst dreams”.

“We desperately hope this is not the realisation of our worst dreams. The recently reported mass deaths of elephant seals on Heard Island were a harbinger of the potential catastrophe for Australian wildlife,” she said.

“It is a good thing governments have spent the past two years preparing for the arrival of bird flu but a mainland detection would be a critical test of Australia’s preparedness and response systems.

“Even if this is a false alarm, it warns against any complacency.

“Australia needs to be ready at any time with clear response plans. It also highlights the urgency of mitigating other threats to potentially susceptible wildlife.”

Sick bird reports can be made to the emergency animal disease hotline 1800-675-888 or Birdflu.gov.au.