Bird flu reaches Murray-Darling Basin in Australia, experts warn of spring risk
New South Wales has recorded its first H5 bird flu cases, including one inland at the Murray-Darling Basin, prompting warnings from conservation experts ahead of the spring breeding season. Australia's national case total has reached 215.
New South Wales confirmed its first H5 bird flu cases on Saturday in two local birds, one of which was found near Wentworth on the Murray-Darling Basin. The other, a greater crested tern, was discovered near Narooma on the south coast. Samples from both deceased birds tested positive at CSIRO's Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness.
Jack Gough, chief executive of the Invasive Species Council, said the inland detection should alarm governments, as it suggests the virus could soon spread among inland bird colonies ahead of the spring breeding season. He noted that bird populations in the Murray-Darling Basin are already declining due to feral animals, insufficient water reaching critical wetlands, and habitat loss — and now face a deadly disease on top of these pressures.
Cases rising in other states
South Australia confirmed a further 28 positive cases on Saturday, bringing its total to 147. An additional 13 suspected cases were also detected, including in an ibis in Adelaide and a cormorant at Carpenter Rocks on the Limestone Coast.
Victoria confirmed 10 positive cases on Saturday, all in greater crested terns found in south-west Victoria and at Clyde in south-east Melbourne.
As of 3pm the previous day, Australia's national total of H5 bird flu cases stood at 215.
