Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins, has announced a suspected case of avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, in Western Australia. Speaking from Hobart, she revealed that a single migratory wild bird was found sick in an isolated area in the southern part of the state.
First Potential H5 Strain on Mainland Australia
If confirmed, this would mark the first detection of the deadly H5 strain of avian influenza on mainland Australia. The initial testing at the Western Australian Laboratory has returned a suspected positive result for avian influenza. Samples have now been forwarded to CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness for confirmatory testing, with results expected tomorrow.
No Evidence of Mass Mortality or Poultry Infection
Minister Collins emphasized that it is not yet confirmed whether this is the H5 strain of concern currently circulating. She stated, “We cannot confirm yet whether it is the strain of concern that is circulating at this stage known as the H5 bird flu. There is no evidence of any mass mortality at this time, nor is there any evidence of infection in poultry.”
The Australian government is closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as confirmatory test results become available.
