The H5 avian influenza variant has been detected in Western Australia, marking its first appearance on mainland Australia. While a concern, Victorian farming groups consider it a 'distant concern' due to preparedness measures, though vigilance remains high for potential spread to poultry and dairy herds.
Two loggerhead turtles, Squirdle and Treasure, rescued after being washed ashore in WA in 2024, are set to be released near Ningaloo Reef after two years of rehabilitation. They will travel 1,400km to Exmouth for their return to the wild.
Australia has confirmed its first mainland case of the deadly H5 strain of bird flu in a migratory sea bird found in Western Australia. The detection means the highly contagious variant is now present on every continent, though authorities state there is no evidence of mass mortalities or poultry infection yet.
Australia has detected the H5 strain of bird flu in a wild giant petrel, marking the first time the virus has been found on the continent. While disappointing, the detection was not unexpected due to the global spread of the virus. No mass mortalities or infections in poultry have been reported.
Migratory seabirds found on the Western Australian coast have tested positive for the deadly H5N1 bird flu strain, marking its arrival on the Australian mainland. Agriculture Minister Julie Collins confirmed a brown skua died from the disease, and tests suggest a giant petrel may also be infected.
The H5N1 bird flu strain has been confirmed on the Australian mainland after a brown skua found on the Western Australian coast tested positive. Agriculture Minister Julie Collins stated the bird died from the disease, and tests suggest a giant petrel in the same area may also be infected. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the arrival "concerning" but noted government preparations.
The H5N1 bird flu strain has been confirmed on the Australian mainland after a brown skua found on the Western Australian coast tested positive. Agriculture minister Julie Collins confirmed the death of the bird from the highly pathogenic strain, with another bird suspected positive. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated the government is focused on limiting its spread.
The H5 variant of avian influenza has been detected in a bird found on a remote beach in Western Australia, marking the first time the disease has appeared in Australia. Further testing confirmed the H5 strain in a brown skua, with a second bird, a giant northern petrel, also showing a suspected positive result. Authorities are urging the public to avoid contact with sick or dead birds and are preparing response measures, though there is no evidence of mass mortalities or infection in poultry at this time.
The highly pathogenic H5 strain of avian influenza has been detected in a brown skua found on a remote beach near Esperance, Western Australia. This marks the first time the disease has been found in Australia, with samples from a second bird, a giant petrel, also returning a suspected positive result.
A suspected case of the deadly H5 strain of avian influenza has been detected in Western Australia, marking the first suspected instance on the continent. A brown skua seabird found dead at Cape Le Grand beach is undergoing genomic sequencing to confirm if it is H5N1.
A brown skua found dead at Cape Le Grand National Park, Western Australia, has tested positive for avian influenza. Further testing is underway to confirm if it is the H5N1 strain. A second bird, a giant petrel, is also being tested. Officials urge the public not to touch sick or dead birds.
A migratory wild bird found sick in Western Australia has tested positive for avian influenza, with results for the deadly H5N1 strain expected Saturday. This is the first suspected case on mainland Australia, prompting investigations and public health warnings.
Australia has confirmed a suspected case of the H5 bird flu strain in a wild migratory bird in Western Australia. If confirmed, this would mean the virus has spread to every continent, having already killed millions of birds and mammals globally. Authorities are awaiting further test results.
Australia has confirmed a suspected case of the H5 bird flu strain in a wild migratory bird in Western Australia. If confirmed, this would mean the virus has spread to every continent, having already killed millions of birds and mammals worldwide.
Western Australia will pilot real-time facial recognition cameras in police vans to scan crowds for wanted individuals, sex offenders, and missing persons. The technology will pixelate non-matches and delete data immediately, aiming to enhance community safety while addressing privacy concerns.
Western Australia Police will trial real-time facial recognition cameras in a marked van to scan crowds for wanted individuals, child sex offenders, and missing persons. The technology will cross-reference faces with a database, alerting officers to potential matches. Police aim to address privacy concerns by stating the system pixelates non-matches and deletes data immediately.
An Australian passenger, Peter Marsh, shared his experience after being repatriated from the hantavirus-struck MV Hondius cruise ship. He spent five weeks in quarantine in Western Australia, emphasizing the importance of the safety measures despite the tediousness.
A tree in remote Western Australia, once a site of brutal punishment for Aboriginal people, has been transformed into a symbol of healing and reconciliation. The 'whipping tree' in Warmun, where Kija woman Roberta Daylight's great-grandmother was whipped, was memorialized after a community commemoration, turning a painful past into a shared future.
Western Australia's auditor-general has warned that child and teen mental health reforms risk failure due to a lack of leadership and a credible plan from the Mental Health Commission. Promised in 2022 after a teen's suicide, only one of 32 recommendations has been completed.
A 22-year-old man was arrested in Western Australia after allegedly mistaking deadly death cap mushrooms for magic mushrooms while illegally foraging. Police found him with methamphetamine, MDMA, and the poisonous fungi.
Western Australia is overhauling its social housing waitlist for the first time in 70 years, prioritizing individuals with urgent and complex needs, including domestic violence survivors and rough sleepers. A new matrix system will assess applicants based on safety, housing circumstances, medical conditions, accessibility, and cultural considerations, moving away from a simple wait-time approach.
Western Australia is overhauling its social housing waitlist for the first time in 70 years, prioritizing individuals with urgent and complex needs, including domestic violence survivors and rough sleepers, over a 'wait-your-turn' system. A new matrix will assess safety, housing circumstances, medical conditions, accessibility, and cultural considerations, with reforms aiming for early 2028 implementation after a year of consultation.
Two remote Western Australian islands, Koolan and Cockatoo, have been sold for multi-million dollars to be transformed into transport logistics hubs. Koolan Island, previously an iron ore mine, will become a sea and air hub for offshore industries, while Cockatoo Island will also be developed into a multi-user hub.
Harm reduction services in Western Australia report a doubling in demand for sterile injecting equipment for synthetic peptide use over the past three years, driven by social media trends and influencers promoting unapproved substances for weight loss and anti-aging. Experts warn of unknown long-term risks and potential contamination from the unregulated grey market.
