H5 Bird Flu Suspected in Queensland After Petrel Found Dead on Moreton Island
A deceased petrel found on Moreton Island is suspected to have died from H5 bird flu, marking the first suspected case of the highly pathogenic strain in Queensland.
Detection and Testing
The bird was found washed ashore on Moreton Island by staff from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. An initial test at the Queensland government's Biosecurity Sciences Laboratory returned a positive result for H5 avian influenza. Confirmation of the strain is pending analysis at CSIRO's Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness.
National Context
Australia reported its first confirmed H5 bird flu case on June 20. According to Queensland Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett, 17 positive cases have been detected across Australia to date. These include:
- 10 cases in Western Australia
- Five cases in South Australia
- Two cases in New South Wales
The Queensland Department of Primary Industries has received over 1,000 reports from the public regarding suspected bird flu cases.
Official Statements
Queensland Chief Veterinary Officer Alison Crook stated that authorities have moved into "full stand-up" mode in response to the suspected case. She noted that no H5 bird flu has been detected in poultry in Australia.
Minister Perrett said there has been "constant communication federally" regarding the situation, and that chicken meat and eggs remain safe to eat.
No Poultry Impact Found
According to the Department of Primary Industries, there have been no detections of H5 bird flu in poultry and no evidence of large-scale animal deaths in Queensland.
Call for Wildlife Funding
Invasive Species Council policy director Carol Booth urged the federal government to invest $200 million in a wildlife resilience package to assist vulnerable species.