Australia confirms first mainland case of H5N1 bird flu | Australia news

The deadly strain of H5N1 bird flu has reached mainland Australia, with test results confirming a bird found off the coast of Western Australia was positive for the disease.

Agriculture minister Julie Collins has confirmed that a brown skua found unwell in Cape Le Grand national park in southern Western Australia last Sunday has died of H5N1.

Tests in WA showed that a sick giant bird in the same area was also infected.

Collins said samples taken from the bird were sent to the CSIRO laboratory for confirmation.

The highly pathogenic strain has killed millions of birds worldwide and moved into mammal species, including seals.

Collins promised a nationally coordinated response that would initially focus on how far the disease might have spread in wildlife.

He said so far there is no evidence of mass deaths or infection in any poultry.

Anthony Albanese said earlier on Saturday that the emergence of H5N1 bird flu was “worrying” but the government had spent $113 million on preparation and was focusing on limiting its spread.

“First of all, we want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to limit the spread,” the Prime Minister said.

“Of course, we always examine these issues carefully and have prepared accordingly.

“This is something that happens through migratory birds. It’s something that, by definition, happens all over the world, and that’s why we’re preparing for it.”

More details coming soon…