H5N1 Bird Flu Confirmed on Australian Mainland

The deadly H5N1 bird flu strain has arrived on the Australian mainland with test results confirming a bird found on the Western Australian coast was positive for the disease.

Agriculture minister Julie Collins confirmed a brown skua found unwell last Sunday at Cape Le Grand national park in southern WA died from H5N1.

A giant petrel found in the same area was also sick with test results in WA finding the bird was also suspected to be positive for the highly pathogenic strain that has killed millions of birds globally and crossed over into mammal species including elephant seals.

Collins promised a nationally coordinated response that would initially focus on the extent to which the disease may have spread in wildlife.

She said there was no evidence of mass mortalities so far or of infection of any poultry.

Anthony Albanese said earlier on Saturday the arrival of H5N1 bird flu was “concerning” but the government had spent $113m in preparation and was focused on trying to limit its spread.

“What we’re about is making sure, firstly, that we do whatever we can to restrict the spread,” the prime minister said.

“We, of course, always examine these issues carefully. We have prepared for it.

“This is something that has happened through migratory birds. It’s happened, by definition, around the world, and that is why we’ve been preparing for this.”