The Federal Government confirmed on June 20 that CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness detected the H5 strain in a brown skua, a migratory seabird, found sick near Esperance in southern Western Australia on June 14.
A giant petrel from the same area is a suspected second case currently undergoing confirmatory testing.
The detection ends Australia’s run as the last continent free of the H5 variant, shifting the virus from a closely-watched external threat to an active biosecurity management operation.
Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Graeme Cooke said there were no detections in the state, but urged Victorians to act now.
“If you see something unusual, don’t ignore it. Avoid contact, record the details and report it so it can be investigated,” Dr Cooke said.
He called for reports of clusters of five or more sick or dead birds anywhere in Victoria, and said even single cases involving pelicans, birds of prey, black swans or marine animals should be reported immediately.
The warning carries particular weight across the Goulburn Valley, where irrigated floodplains and wetland systems provide critical habitat for migratory waterbirds travelling the East Asian-Australasian flyway.
Bird groups associated with water, such as shorebirds, ibis, ducks, geese and swans, are considered highly susceptible to H5 bird flu.
VFF president Ryan Milgate said the VFF had been in regular contact with the Victorian Government since the announcement and urged every livestock sector to act, not just poultry producers.
“Because H5 can cross between species, every livestock sector needs to be prepared,” Mr Milgate said.
“If the disease takes hold, it will be extremely distressing for farmers and could have significant economic impacts.”
Backyard poultry keepers and mixed-property farmers are urged to keep wild birds away from flocks and feed, maintain hygiene when handling birds, and watch closely for signs of illness including sudden drops in egg production, lethargy or breathing difficulties.
On rural properties, cats allowed to roam near waterways or wetlands are also at elevated exposure risk and should be kept indoors where possible.
There have been no detections in poultry and no evidence of mortalities in other species.
The Australian Centre for Disease Control rates H5 bird flu as a low health risk to the public.
Australians are being reassured poultry and egg products are safe to eat after a deadly bird flu strain.
There has been no evidence indicating the strain being found in local poultry or agriculture, Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said.
“We’re not sure yet if it’s established in wildlife in Australia,” she said.
But the minister warned lessons from overseas indicated the virus cannot be prevented from spreading, and Australia cannot stop it arriving via migratory birds.
Report sick or dead birds to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
