Sydney, Sep 4: Australia has confirmed the first detections of H5N1 bird flu in the Sydney area, marking a new development in the country’s ongoing battle to contain the virus among wild birds.
Three new H5 bird flu events have been reported in New South Wales, including detections in greater crested terns at Port Kembla and Warriewood on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, as well as a Hutton’s shearwater at Corindi, north of Coffs Harbour.
The latest detections bring the number of H5 bird flu events in NSW to 20. Across Australia, authorities have recorded hundreds of positive H5 events since the virus was first detected on the mainland in June.
Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry said there have been no detections in poultry or the wider agriculture industry, while the current risk to human health remains low.
Authorities are urging residents not to touch sick or dead birds and to keep pets away from affected wildlife. Backyard poultry and pet-bird owners have also been advised to prevent their birds from coming into contact with wild birds.
The spread of H5N1 is being closely monitored because the virus can move through wild bird populations and has caused significant wildlife losses in different parts of the world. Australia has strengthened surveillance and biosecurity measures as authorities work to understand the extent of the outbreak.
The latest development comes just months after Australia recorded its first confirmed mainland H5N1 detection in a wild bird. The virus has since been detected in several wildlife species, including mammals.
For the public, authorities say the key message remains simple: avoid contact with sick or dead wildlife, keep pets away from bird carcasses and report unusual bird deaths so they can be investigated.
Australia is continuing surveillance across affected regions as authorities assess the impact of the virus on native wildlife and work to prevent its spread to poultry and other animals.
Australia has confirmed the first detections of H5N1 bird flu in the Sydney area, marking a new development in the country’s ongoing battle to contain the virus among wild birds.
Three new H5 bird flu events have been reported in New South Wales, including detections in greater crested terns at Port Kembla and Warriewood on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, as well as a Hutton’s shearwater at Corindi, north of Coffs Harbour.
The latest detections bring the number of H5 bird flu events in NSW to 20. Across Australia, authorities have recorded hundreds of positive H5 events since the virus was first detected on the mainland in June.
Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry said there have been no detections in poultry or the wider agriculture industry, while the current risk to human health remains low.
Authorities are urging residents not to touch sick or dead birds and to keep pets away from affected wildlife. Backyard poultry and pet-bird owners have also been advised to prevent their birds from coming into contact with wild birds.
The spread of H5N1 is being closely monitored because the virus can move through wild bird populations and has caused significant wildlife losses in different parts of the world. Australia has strengthened surveillance and biosecurity measures as authorities work to understand the extent of the outbreak.
The latest development comes just months after Australia recorded its first confirmed mainland H5N1 detection in a wild bird. The virus has since been detected in several wildlife species, including mammals.
For the public, authorities say the key message remains simple: avoid contact with sick or dead wildlife, keep pets away from bird carcasses and report unusual bird deaths so they can be investigated.
Australia is continuing surveillance across affected regions as authorities assess the impact of the virus on native wildlife and work to prevent its spread to poultry and other animals.