SIX more birds are being tested for H5N1 bird flu after being prioritised by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) following 69 reports to the emergency animal disease hotline on June 24.
This afternoon DPIRD said the enhanced statewide surveillance effort followed the announcement the same day of a suspected positive detection of H5 bird flu in a southern giant petrel at Quindalup on the South West coast.
“The single migratory petrel tested positive for H5 influenza in preliminary testing in WA,’’ DPIRD said.
“This sample has been sent to CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness in Victoria to confirm if it is the H5 bird flu strain of concern.’’
Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis said with the new suspected positive case from the Quindalup area in the South West a member of the public had reported seeing the migratory bird over the weekend as a result of the public awareness campaign.
“A DPIRD biosecurity staff member took a sample from the bird on Sunday, which was then transported to Perth for testing,’’ she said.
“We continue to receive a high number of reports of deceased birds to the emergency animal disease hotline from a range of locations in Western Australia.
“We appreciate the community’s efforts and encourage people to continue to report observations.
“This increased reporting is an important part of surveillance at this stage.’’
On June 25 the number of confirmed WA cases remained at two – the two migratory seabirds previously reported – a brown skua and giant petrel found in the remote Cape Le Grand area, east of Esperance.
H5 bird flu was also confirmed on June 24 in a giant petrel at Knights Beach on the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia.
DPIRD said reports to the emergency animal disease hotline were routinely investigated and there was no suggestion any of the additional reports would be H5 bird flu.
“Importantly, there have been no reports of large-scale mortalities and no evidence the virus has spread in WA wildlife.’’
In Bird flu has spread to two Australian states. Here’s how it could accelerate our extinction crisis, The Conversation, June 24 Euan Ritchie says it is too early to know if H5N1 has spread beyond the three confirmed cases to other wildlife or livestock in Australia but it appears very much a matter of when, not if, this happens.
Anyone who sees sick or dead birds or marine mammals should avoid and not handle the animals but record and take photos or a video and report to the emergency animal disease hotline on 1800 675 888.
