Authorities in Western Australia are treating a deceased giant petrel found in Perth's northern suburbs as a presumed positive case of H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza (bird flu). This marks the seventh detection of the virus in a wild migratory seabird in Australia and the first such case in a metropolitan area.
This is the first detection of H5 bird flu in a metropolitan area in Australia.
Detection and Testing
The giant petrel was discovered last Tuesday between Mullaloo and Whitfords, near a popular off-leash dog beach in Hillarys. Testing at CSIRO's Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) confirmed the presence of an influenza virus of the H5 subtype. However, scientists were unable to confirm the virus as H5 bird flu through sequencing.
According to officials, the inability to obtain a full sequence is not unexpected due to factors including the viral load and sample quality, which can be affected by decomposition in wildlife samples from deceased animals.
The Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is treating the case as "presumed positive" as a precautionary measure, based on initial WA laboratory findings, the species involved, the location, and consistency with recent findings in other petrels.
WA acting chief veterinary officer Dr Katie Webb stated it is considered highly likely the petrel was infected with H5 bird flu. This is the fifth believed case of bird flu in Western Australia and the first detected in a metropolitan area.
Current Status and Broader Context
This detection is the seventh confirmed or presumed positive result for H5 bird flu in a wild migratory seabird in Australia. At this stage, detections have only occurred in migratory seabirds that occasionally visit Australia.
Authorities report there is no evidence of any mass mortality events, and no detections have been made in poultry or agricultural production systems. Officials state that the risk to human health remains low.
The discovery has prompted a warning to pet owners in Perth and increased surveillance at city beaches.
Public and Industry Advice
Authorities advise the public that if they see sick or dead birds or other animals, they should not touch them.
Individuals are instructed to avoid contact, record observations, and report findings to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline at 1800 675 888 from anywhere in Australia.
Poultry producers have been reminded that on-farm biosecurity practices are crucial to protect the health of their flocks.