H5 bird flu spreads among Australian seabirds, authorities intensify surveillance
Despite the increasing number of infections among wild birds, authorities stressed there have been no detections of H5 bird flu in poultry or livestock, and the risk to human health remains low.
The spread of the highly pathogenic H5 bird flu continues to challenge wildlife authorities worldwide, with countries strengthening surveillance as the virus affects wild bird populations across multiple continents.
While the risk to the public remains low, the outbreak has prompted increased biosecurity measures and close monitoring to prevent the disease from reaching poultry and livestock industries.
South Australia has confirmed 18 additional cases of the highly pathogenic H5 bird flu, raising the state’s total to 58 infected wild seabirds as authorities expand surveillance to contain the spread of the virus.
The latest positive results, verified by the CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, include petrels, silver gulls and greater crested terns from several coastal locations, highlighting the growing reach of the outbreak.
Health and wildlife authorities are also investigating 49 additional suspected cases, with the majority concentrated along the Limestone Coast, including Port MacDonnell, Robe, Beachport and Carpenter Rocks.
Despite the increasing number of infections among wild birds, authorities stressed there have been no detections of H5 bird flu in poultry or livestock, and the risk to human health remains low.
Australian authorities emphasized that the country remains well prepared to respond to the outbreak.
