New South Wales, Australia's most populous state, is responding to a suspected case of the deadly H5N1 bird flu in a migratory bird, a development that could mark the virus's arrival in a third Australian state. Preliminary laboratory tests indicate the presence of H5 influenza in samples taken from a giant petrel near Hawks Nest, a coastal town approximately 228 kilometers north of Sydney. This potential detection has raised concerns for both the agricultural sector and wildlife, according to NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty.
"This latest development is incredibly concerning for both agriculture and for wildlife," Moriarty stated during a press conference Friday. "But NSW and the rest of the country have been preparing for this moment for many years."
State authorities have activated the State Coordination Centre and established a dedicated H5 bird flu call center. Chief Veterinary Officer Jo Coombe confirmed that surveillance efforts will be intensified to identify any further cases. "We are using the best available data now to target actions for our most at-risk wildlife species and important natural places," Coombe said.
Prior to this development, Australia had remained free of the highly contagious H5N1 virus until June. In the weeks since, five wild birds have tested positive for the strain. These confirmed cases include a brown skua and a giant petrel found in Esperance, Western Australia, on June 14 and June 18 respectively. A giant petrel on South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula also tested positive on June 14, and another giant petrel at Roses-Quallup Beach in Esperance was confirmed positive on Tuesday.
Authorities have emphasized that all confirmed cases to date have been in wild birds, and there are currently no indications that the virus has spread to local poultry populations or caused mass mortality events in wildlife. The State Coordination Centre has been stood up in Orange, and all key stakeholders are being briefed on the evolving situation.
Australia had been the only continent without a confirmed H5N1 avian influenza case until June 14, when the first mainland detection was reported. The virus has, however, impacted millions of birds globally and has also been detected in mammals in other regions.
Following the initial detections, Papua New Guinea's National Agriculture and Quarantine Inspection Authority had temporarily banned poultry products from Australia, but this ban was lifted on June 24. The public is advised to avoid contact with sick or deceased wildlife and to report any sightings to an emergency hotline, noting the location and taking photographs if possible.