New South Wales has recorded its first suspected case of the deadly H5 bird flu in a giant petrel discovered near Hawks Nest, north of Newcastle, on the state's coast. If confirmed by CSIRO testing as the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain, it would mark the first detection of the deadly disease on Australia's east coast.
Background and Previous Cases
Since late June, five cases of H5 bird flu have been confirmed in Australia—four in Western Australia and one in South Australia—all in migratory sub-antarctic birds. The NSW case raises concerns about the virus spreading further into the region.
Government Response and Surveillance
NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty stated that initial testing at NSW labs confirmed the petrel was positive for H5 influenza. Further testing by the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness is required to confirm if it is the highly pathogenic strain that has devastated wildlife globally. “This latest development is incredibly concerning for both agriculture and for wildlife,” Moriarty said. “The impact of H5 worldwide on wild birds and poultry has been devastating. But NSW and the rest of the country have been preparing for this moment for many years.”
The NSW government had already implemented surveillance measures for early detection following the arrival of H5 bird flu in other parts of the country. A state coordination centre at the Department of Primary Industry and Regional Development in Orange is managing surveillance operations, with collaboration between federal, state, and territory governments.
Impact on Agriculture and Wildlife
So far, the disease has not been detected in any poultry flocks, captive birds, or other wild birds in NSW, according to Moriarty. The confirmation of the highly pathogenic strain would prompt heightened biosecurity measures to protect the state's poultry industry and native bird populations.
