Dead giant petrel found in Western Australia becomes state’s eighth H5 bird flu case
The dead giant bird found in Western Australia is the eighth confirmed case of H5 bird flu in the state.
The migratory seabird was found at Lancelin Beach, about 127km north of Perth, and was presumed positive after tests by the CSIRO’s Australian Center for Disease Preparedness were unable to identify the specific species due to the decomposed carcass.
Another dead giant bird found at Parry Beach in Denmark, about 450km south of Perth, was also presumed positive for the deadly virus after additional CSIRO tests could not be completed due to carcass deterioration.
Both cases were reported by the public to the Emergency Animal Disease Helpline (EAD).
The hotline has received more than 1,700 reports statewide since the first case was confirmed on June 19.
More than 270 cases have been evaluated for further investigation or testing in Western Australia, and 117 of these cases have returned negative results to date.
Positive cases were recorded in Esperance, Perth, Lancelin, Quindalup and Horrocks.
“The risk to human health remains low, but people are reminded to avoid surrendering animals, record any observations with photographs or video and report them to the EAD helpline,” a Department for Primary Industries and Regional Development spokesman said.
Australia’s chief veterinary officer, Beth Cookson, said there were 14 confirmed or positive cases of H5 bird flu in Australia.
“These were all individual wild seabirds found in coastal areas,” Dr Cookson said.
“All but one were wild migratory seabirds.
“There remains no evidence of any mass mortality and no detection in poultry or our agricultural production system.”
