Overview
- Authorities confirmed the first mainland detection when a brown skua tested positive for H5N1 after samples sent to CSIRO, with the first confirmation reported on June 20 and further positive seabirds found along WA and South Australian coasts.
- The total number of confirmed or suspected infected seabirds has risen during late June, and state and federal agencies have expanded surveillance and testing along the southern coastline to map the outbreak.
- Australia’s largest poultry firm, Ingham, has closed breeder farms in Western Australia, banned non-essential access and is seeking orders to keep free-range birds indoors to reduce the chance of farm infections.
- Officials have warned pet owners to keep cats indoors and dogs on leads, urged the public not to touch sick or dead birds, and asked people to report sightings to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline for rapid testing and response.
- Scientists say the virus most likely arrived on southern migration routes carried by skuas, giant petrels or gulls and note that in past outbreaks it often takes roughly two to six weeks after wild-bird detections for poultry cases to appear, making the coming weeks critical for prevention.