Australia Detects Suspected First Mainland Bird Flu Case in Migratory Bird

Australia has detected its first suspected mainland case of H5N1 bird flu in a remote area of the country's southwest, sparking concern about an outbreak.

A migratory seabird known as a brown skua, found in Western Australia's Cape Le Grand National Park, tested positive for avian influenza, authorities announced on Friday.

Further testing was being conducted to confirm the strain, state agriculture minister Jackie Jarvis said.

"We are taking the suspected case of H5 bird flu seriously," Ms Jarvis said. "If this is confirmed H5 bird incursion, there will be a rapid and coordinated national response."

The virulent H5 bird flu strain has spread through wild bird and mammal populations since 2021, infecting poultry and dairy farms and even some farmworkers.

Australia was the only continent left without a confirmed mainland case of the deadly strain.

The country has been preparing for its arrival by tightening biosecurity at farms, testing shore birds for disease, vaccinating vulnerable species, and war-gaming response plans.

"While, if confirmed, this would obviously be a very concerning development, Australia has spent the past few years preparing for this likelihood," environment minister Murray Watt said.

Results confirming whether the now-deceased brown skua had contracted bird flu were expected on Saturday, Ms Jarvis said.

Another sick bird, a giant petrel, was also found in the same area and was being tested for influenza.