Authorities have confirmed that a second bird found on a remote beach along Western Australia's south coast has tested positive for a deadly strain of bird flu. Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins announced on Monday that testing by the CSIRO revealed a northern giant petrel discovered in Esperance had been infected with H5N1 avian influenza.
Discovery Near Previously Infected Bird
The infected northern giant petrel was found near a brown skua that had also been confirmed to carry the disease. The H5N1 strain has devastated wildlife populations globally, raising concerns about its spread in Australia.
Collins emphasized the isolated nature of the cases, stating, "I want to reiterate this is two birds that have been found with the H5 bird flu in an isolated area of Western Australia." She added, "I also want to reiterate at this time there is no evidence of any mass mortalities, particularly in our wildlife."
Ongoing Monitoring and Response
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, with further testing and surveillance underway. The confirmed cases highlight the importance of biosecurity measures to prevent the virus from spreading to poultry and other bird populations.
