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Deadly H5N1 Suspected in NSW Migratory Bird
3 Jul
Summary
- A giant petrel at Hawks Nest tested positive for H5 influenza.
- This is NSW's first suspected case of the deadly H5N1 strain.
- The bird flu has not reached poultry flocks in NSW so far.
New South Wales is facing its first suspected case of the deadly H5N1 bird flu. A migratory giant petrel discovered at Hawks Nest, north of Newcastle, has tested positive for H5 influenza. Authorities are awaiting confirmation from the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness to determine if it is the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain.
If confirmed, this would be the first detection of the deadly disease on the Australian east coast. Five cases have already been confirmed since late June in Western Australia and South Australia, affecting migratory sub-Antarctic birds. The NSW agriculture minister stated that the disease has not yet been detected in any poultry flocks, captive birds, or other wild birds within NSW.
The NSW government has implemented surveillance measures for early detection, working collaboratively with federal and other state and territory governments. A state coordination centre is managing surveillance operations. The potential impact on agriculture and wildlife is a significant concern, given the devastating effects of H5N1 globally.
