First case of deadly H5 bird flu found in Australian seabird on SA coast
Summary
The first case of deadly H5 bird flu in local Australian wildlife was found in a greater crested tern on the South Australian coast. Authorities are increasing monitoring to check if the virus has spread to more local birds.Key Facts
- A greater crested tern tested positive for deadly H5 bird flu near Robe on South Australia’s Limestone Coast.
- This is the first case of H5 bird flu found in local Australian wildlife.
- Previously, the virus was detected mainly in migratory subantarctic seabirds like giant petrels along the coasts of South Australia, Western Australia, and New South Wales.
- The South Australian government is leading extra checks to see if the virus has spread among local coastal birds.
- South Australia recently completed a large aerial survey of its coastline and found no widespread sick or dead seabirds or seals.
- Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said the virus arrival shows the country’s biosecurity system is active and working.
- The greater crested tern shares the coastal area with migratory birds that had been found positive for H5 bird flu before.
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