AUSTRALIA’S farmers and the general community are being asked to be vigilant and report any dead birds after H5 bird flu was detected in two migratory seabirds in Western Australia over the weekend.

Animal Health Australia said testing at CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness has confirmed H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza (H5 bird flu) in a wild brown skua in Western Australia.

The H5N1-infected bird was found in an isolated area of Cape Le Grand National Park, about 50km east of Esperance. A second wild seabird, a giant petrel from the same region, has also tested positive for H5 avian influenza and is undergoing further testing to determine the strain.

Australia’s first detection of the highly contagious H5 bird flu virus follows the recent deaths of thousands of seal pups from H5N1 on Heard Island and McDonald Islands about 4000 kilometres south-west of mainland Australia.

The H5N1 bird flu variant has killed poultry overseas and been implicated in production losses and deaths in dairy cattle in the United States and a case was detected in a sheep.

AHA said at this stage there have been no detections in poultry in Australia, no evidence of mortalities in other species and there are currently no trade restrictions for poultry and poultry products, for export out of Australia.

H5 bird flu is a low health risk to the public and rarely affects humans. Bird flu is not a food safety risk for chicken meat and eggs if they are handled and cooked correctly, AHA said.

The Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is leading response activities on the ground, including enhanced surveillance, working closely with industry, veterinarians, wildlife carers and local communities. National coordination is being led by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Review your biosecurity plan – NFF

National Farmers Federation president Hamish McIntyre said the bird flu detection in a brown skua and a giant petrel was serious but manageable, with Australia well prepared.

“Australia has successfully managed other avian influenza strains in recent years, and the risk to humans remains low.

“This will undoubtedly be a stressful time for farmers and has the potential to create significant impacts across the sector,” he said.

“Australia has worked hard to maintain its status as the only continent free from the H5N1 strain that has spread globally since 2020, which is why vigilance is so important.”

Farmers and the broader community are being urged to stay alert and report any sick birds or animals to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

The NFF said farmers should also take the opportunity to review their on-farm biosecurity plans and ensure all staff and visitors are made aware of their biosecurity obligations.

Information is available at birdflu.gov.au where authorities are providing regular updates as the situation evolves.

Mr McIntyre said the detection reinforced the importance of strong biosecurity, particularly given cross-species risks across livestock industries.

“Australian farmers are world leaders in biosecurity, not only to protect our animals and environment, but to ensure if a situation arises, the impact to our food supply chain is minimised.

“It’s important to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Right now, preparedness and vigilance are our strongest tools.”

AHA encouraged the community to report sick or dead birds, or marine mammals, but avoid contact and do not touch them, instead take photographs if safe to do so and report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.