Western Australia has recorded a new suspect positive detection of H5 bird flu in a migratory giant petrel on the southern coast, 30 kilometres west of Esperance.
Samples from five deceased petrels were submitted to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) laboratory with one returning a suspect positive result for H5 influenza in preliminary testing. The remaining four were all negative.
Samples have been sent to CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness to confirm the results and determine if it is the H5 bird flu strain of concern.
The five deceased petrels were spotted by a member of the public on Roses Beach and reported to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline for investigation and testing by DPIRD.
Results of an earlier suspect positive detection in a giant petrel at Quindalup in the South West of the State are pending.
The number of confirmed WA cases of H5 bird flu remains at two – the two migratory seabirds previously reported - a brown skua and giant petrel found in the same area, east of Esperance.
H5 bird flu was also confirmed on 24 June in a giant petrel at Knights Beach on the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia.
Since Friday 19 June, there have been 375 reports to the Emergency Animal Disease hotline. Of these reports, 43 have been prioritised for further investigation and testing based on the risk of H5 bird flu. There is no suggestion any of these additional reports will be H5 bird flu.
There are no detections in poultry and no evidence of large-scale deaths in any wildlife.
There has also been 12 negative test results for birds found across the State.
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.
DPIRD also advises the community to keep pets away from wildlife, including preventing cats from roaming and keeping dogs on leads in wildlife areas.
If you own, care for, or work with birds or chickens, you should:
- prevent wild birds from mingling with your birds, and accessing their feed and water
- keep pens, aviaries, feeders and equipment clean
- wash hands thoroughly with soap before and after handling birds
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