A concerning development has been confirmed in South Australia with the detection of its first case of H5 bird flu.
Authorities revealed on Wednesday that the virus was discovered in a migratory seabird rescued by a wildlife welfare organization on June 14. The bird was found on a beach along the Fleurieu Peninsula.
This southern giant petrel was located at Knights Beach in Port Elliot, after which it was sent to CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness for testing.
The test confirmed on Wednesday that the bird was infected with the H5 strain of the virus, according to the South Australian government. Interestingly, a second giant petrel found in the same location tested negative for the virus.
This detection marks a first for South Australia, coming in the wake of confirmation of two instances of the H5N1 strain in migratory seabirds in Western Australia over the previous weekend. Notably, Australia had been one of the few regions in the world that was free from this virus until now.
“I know this news will be concerning for many people, particularly our poultry producers, wildlife carers and communities across our State, but I want to reassure South Australians that we are well prepared and responding swiftly,” South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said in a statement.
“South Australia has invested significantly in surveillance, workforce capability and response planning to prepare for the possible arrival of H5 bird flu.”
The state government said it is treating the detection as an isolated incident, and there have been no detections in poultry anywhere in Australia at this time.
Seven hundred and seventy-four samples from birds have been tested in South Australia since the start of the year.
Australia on high alert
Australia is on high alert over fears that the deadly H5N1 strain of avian influenza could be spreading in remote areas of the country.
Avian flu has driven a global animal pandemic, causing catastrophic loss in more than 500 bird and 60 mammal species. Millions of animals have been killed, while poultry populations have been devastated through infection and culling measures.
Experts warn that unique Australian species like the black swan, the Australian sea lion, and the Tasmanian devil are highly vulnerable and could be significantly impacted by the virus.
Federal Agricultural Minister Julie Collins has said the government’s emergency biosecurity response has been enacted and that her department is working closely with state and territory counterparts to monitor the spread of the disease.
A hotline — 1800 675 888 — and a website for members of the public to report sick or dead birds has been established, and Collins has encouraged people to continue to call in suspicious cases.
“If you see sick or dead birds or other animals, do not touch them, avoid contact, and report at the government site,” she said on Wednesday.
Papua New Guinea lifts Australian import ban
Papua New Guinea has lifted a pause on imports of Australian poultry and eggs it imposed after the first mainland cases of the bird flu strain were confirmed.
The Pacific island’s national agriculture and quarantine inspection authority advised the suspension, but Collins said Australia has worked with the department to lift the ban.
“My department has just received advice from PNG that the suspension of poultry meat and poultry products has been lifted, with some exceptions,” Collins said.
“We will continue to work with them on this. We appreciate PNG’s willingness to work cooperatively and to remove some of these restrictions.”
Australian chicken meat exports reached a record $133 million in 2023/24, nearly half of which was purchased by PNG.
No evidence of wider outbreak
Australia’s chief veterinary officer, Dr Beth Cookson, has said that there is no indication that the two birds found near Esperance, WA, have spread the disease.
She said genomic sequencing indicates that the virus infecting the initial bird, a brown skua, is related to an outbreak on the sub-Antarctic Heard and McDonald Islands.
There has been no evidence of mass animal mortalities following the discovery of the sick birds, Collins said on Wednesday.
She added that while the detection of another case in another state is “obviously concerning,” it is “not unexpected” given the global spread of the disease.
Despite the reassurance, major poultry group Inghams announced on Tuesday that it would mitigate against potential risks across all WA sites by locking down its farms and processing operations.
A low-pressure system below Australia is forecast this weekend, which experts are warning could blow more seabirds onto the southern coastline.