H5N1 avian influenza spreads across Australia

The highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza strain has spread across Australia, affecting resident birds in Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland, Victoria, and New South Wales. The Commonwealth Government has stated that eradication is unlikely, shifting the focus toward protecting agricultural industries and vulnerable native species.

In New South Wales, the state has recorded 40 H5 bird flu events. Recent detections include a Greater Crested Tern in Forster and cases in Hawks Nest. Authorities are implementing a comprehensive preparedness and surveillance plan, urging the public to report suspicious animal deaths via the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline.

Experts from CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness note that this strain, known as genotype B3.2, originated from reassortment in North America. The virus has previously caused significant mortality in bird populations and marine mammals, such as sea lions and elephant seals, in other parts of the world.