Macquarie Island confirms first Australian H5N1 bird flu case

Australia has confirmed its first case of H5N1 bird flu on the sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island. Chief Veterinary Officer Beth Cookson stated that testing confirmed the highly pathogenic virus in samples collected from a kelp gull and an elephant seal.

Macquarie Island, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed territory, serves as a critical breeding ground for southern elephant seals. These mammals are highly susceptible to the virus, with pup mortality rates exceeding 90% in some instances. This follows a previous outbreak on Heard Island, where the virus killed more than 13,000 seal pups.

As the virus spreads among wild birds in Australia, including parts of New South Wales, health experts advise pet owners to minimize exposure. Recommendations include keeping cats indoors or in enclosures to prevent hunting infected birds and keeping dogs on leads to avoid contact with sick or dead wildlife.