Esperance locals, businesses, leaders on high alert after nation’s first deadly H5 bird flu case sparks fears

The pristine seaside town of Esperance has been thrust to the forefront of the national biosecurity crisis after Australia’s first case of deadly H5 bird flu was detected on its doorstep.

Local business owners and community leaders are poised to make an impact.

For Tracey Lang, co-owner of Esperance Bird and Animal Park Cafe, the news was a devastating blow, especially as the area has been struggling with recent heavy rains.

“I feel a little anxious and a little scared,” Ms. Lang said.

“We’re also flooded… so there are bigger lakes around us than there were last week. Basically, the wild birds will come for the water. That’s the biggest reason for the spread.”

Despite the concern, Ms Lang said the park was not vulnerable.

A “plan of attack” is already being put in place following recent strategic discussions with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

The park has implemented strict quarantine protocols and increased surveillance on its animals.

In an effort to isolate its current population, the facility will severely limit the intake of rescued wildlife.

However, if the virus crosses the border, the truth will emerge.

“If it spreads, we’ll probably consider shutting it down,” Ms. Lang said. “We completely close the birds and animals, we just keep the cafe open.

“If it’s here and it spreads, it’s going to be devastating. But for us, we’re going to look at other ways … to protect the wildlife that we already have here because there are thousands of dollars worth of birds here.”

“I hope it will stay there and just be that and nothing more.”

The discovery triggered widespread unrest in the wider Esperance community and raised alarms for local commercial egg producers, hobby farmers and environmentalists.

Esperance Shire Chief Executive Ron Chambers said the level of concern in the area was “very high” and called on Government departments to step up their communications.

“They think they’ve been preparing for this for a number of years, they knew it was going to happen and it was inevitable,” Mr Chambers said.

“So I think it’s really important now that they get those plans out to key stakeholders, whether it’s departments or local governments… they need to fill that information gap very, very quickly.”

Mr Chambers stressed that the only way to prevent panic was with clear, official facts.

“If governments can implement these plans… I think it will alleviate a lot of fears because they will get the information they need and not just from Facebook or from rumors,” he said.

While local leaders acknowledge the “seriousness of the situation” and the dire potential for the virus to decimate native bird populations or spread to mammals, they are urging residents not to panic.

Mr Chambers reminded the public that the virus is well documented worldwide and does not generally pass directly from birds to humans without an intermediate host.

“My advice is for people to stay calm,” Mr Chambers said.

“If people are really concerned, I would strongly encourage them to contact the departments and ask them what they should do.”

The Shire of Esperance has confirmed it will be actively liaising with Government departments this week to determine the definitive roadmap for the town’s defence.