NSW records first suspected case of deadly H5 bird flu as virus reaches Australia’s east coast | Bird flu
New South Wales’ first suspected case of deadly H5 bird flu has been detected in a giant bird found near the Hawks Nest, north of Newcastle on the state’s coast.
If CSIRO testing confirms this is the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain, it will mark the first detection of the deadly disease on Australia’s east coast.
Five cases have been confirmed since the end of June, all in migratory sub-Antarctic birds, four in Western Australia and one in South Australia.
NSW agriculture minister Tara Moriarty said the disease had not yet been detected in any poultry flocks, captive or other wild birds in NSW.
He said initial tests at NSW laboratories confirmed the bird was positive for H5 flu. Tests by the Australian Center for Disease Preparedness were needed to confirm it was a highly pathogenic strain of the disease that has devastated wildlife populations around the world.
“This latest development is incredibly worrying for both agriculture and wildlife,” Moriarty said.
“The impact of H5 on wild birds and poultry around the world has been devastating. But NSW and the rest of the country have been preparing for this moment for many years.”
The New South Wales government said last week it was launching surveillance for early detection after the deadly H5 bird flu reached other parts of the country.
Moriarty said NSW was working with the federal and other state and territory governments. A government coordination center at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development in Orange managed surveillance operations.
