Australia urges bird owners to adopt biosecurity against H5 flu

Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty has urged backyard chicken and captive bird owners to implement strict biosecurity measures to protect against the deadly H5 bird flu strain. The warning follows a positive test result for the virus in a greater crested tern found on Sydney’s Northern Beaches on September 3.

While most H5 cases in New South Wales have been concentrated on the south coast, previous cases were confirmed at Hawks Nest in July. The virus is also spreading inland, with a case reported near Bendigo, Victoria, on September 8, and detections in a red fox.

Authorities advise the public to avoid contact with sick or dead birds and to report suspected cases to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline. Poultry breeder groups noted that while the spread to certain areas was unexpected, precautions have been a priority since the virus was first reported in Western Australia in June.