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Samples from a single deceased shearwater found on Castaways Beach (Sunshine Coast) tested positive for H5 bird flu 24th of August, during initial testing at the Queensland Government’s Biosecurity Sciences Laboratory (BSL). Photo: Shutterstock.
The Department of Primary Industries is responding to its second detection of H5 bird flu in Queensland.
Samples from a single deceased shearwater found on Castaways Beach (Sunshine Coast) tested positive for H5 bird flu 24th of August, during initial testing at the Queensland Government’s Biosecurity Sciences Laboratory (BSL).
Samples have been sent to CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness for confirmatory testing.
There remains no detection in poultry, nor evidence of large-scale deaths in any animals in Queensland.
H5 bird flu is not able to be eradicated in wild birds and is expected to remain an ongoing wildlife disease that will require continued monitoring and management.
Department of Primary Industries Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Allison Crook said the bird was found as part of Queensland’s enhanced H5 bird flu surveillance program.
“A member of the public saw this dead bird and immediately reported it. This is one of more than 3,000 reports in Queensland to the Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) Hotline and I thank the public for their support,” Dr Crook said.
“If you find sick or dead wild birds or wildlife, avoid contact, keep children and pets away, record what you see, and report immediately to the EAD Hotline on 1800 675 888.”
Dr Crook said Queensland is well prepared to respond to this latest event and the Department of Primary Industries has an Incident Management Team that is responding swiftly, prioritising heightened surveillance, stakeholder engagement and regular public communication.
“We are continuing our enhanced passive surveillance program throughout the state and would encourage the community and industry to continue to be vigilant,” Dr Crook said.
Australia now has confirmed detections of H5 avian bird flu in wildlife across most states.
South Australia has also had mass mortality events in wild birds and for the first time in Australia, a confirmed detection in a marine mammal this week.
The community is being urged to continue to report sick or dead wild birds.
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