Suspected H5 bird flu case detected in New South Wales as virus reaches Australia's east coast

New South Wales has reported its first suspected case of the deadly H5 bird flu after a giant petrel was discovered near Hawks Nest, north of Newcastle on the state's coastline. If the testing by the CSIRO confirms the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain, it would mark the initial detection of this dangerous virus on Australia's eastern seaboard.

Since late June, five cases have already been confirmed across Australia – four in Western Australia and one in South Australia – all found in migratory sub-antarctic birds. According to NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty, the disease has not yet been detected in any poultry flocks, captive birds, or other wild birds within the state.

Initial laboratory tests in NSW indicated that the petrel was positive for H5 influenza. However, further analysis by the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness is required to determine if it is the highly pathogenic variant that has caused devastating losses to wildlife populations globally. “This latest development is incredibly concerning for both agriculture and for wildlife,” Moriarty stated. She added that the impact of H5 worldwide on wild birds and poultry has been devastating, but that NSW and the country have been preparing for this moment for many years.

The New South Wales government revealed last week that it had already implemented surveillance measures for early detection after the deadly H5 bird flu arrived in other parts of the country. Moriarty confirmed that NSW is collaborating with federal and other state and territory governments. A state coordination centre at the Department of Primary Industry and Regional Development in Orange is overseeing surveillance operations.