Particle.news
Download on the App Store
12 ARTICLES
·
last mo.

Giant Petrel in Perth Treated as Presumed H5 Bird Flu After Sequencing Fails

The test result has prompted authorities to adopt a 'presumed positive' approach that accelerates testing, coastline surveillance and poultry biosecurity.

Image
A person wearing PPE equipment places a dead bird into a bag at Matilda Bay, Crawley, Perth on Wednesday morning.
A second bird has been confirmed as having the deadly H5N1 virus that has sparked fears that WA’s wildlife and poultry industry could be decimated.
Authorities are bracing for a rise in the bird flu tally after suspected cases in two states. (HANDOUT/Esperance Wildlife Hospital and Sanctuary)

Overview

  • The giant petrel found between Mullaloo and Whitfords is being treated as a presumed H5 detection after CSIRO on Monday found an H5 subtype but could not sequence the virus.
  • A second giant petrel at Hardwicke Bay on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula returned a low viral load in state testing and its samples have been sent to CSIRO for confirmation.
  • Federal and state veterinary chiefs say sequencing often fails for degraded wildlife samples so they will classify H5-subtype signals as presumed positives based on species, location and epidemiology.
  • There are no detections in commercial poultry and the human health risk remains low, but state and territory officers have told producers to house free-range birds and beefed-up biosecurity measures are in place.
  • Officials say migratory seabirds likely brought the virus via Southern Ocean routes, the public should avoid touching sick or dead birds and report sightings to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.