Australia detects first Mainland H5N1 infection in Wild Seabird

Australia just had its first mainland bird flu outbreak when a wild skua test positive. After years of trying to contain H5N1 it was discovered that its been found in the wild brown skua, on the remote western coast of the country. The sick bird has now been collected and died while they wait to conduct more testing for other species.

The incident will further intensify the already strict controls placed by authorities on monitoring their shores to prevent this high-pathogenic strain.

An additional outbreak has been reported for another wild bird species called a giant petrel in the same geographic area. This will increase scrutiny by federal government agencies. Its been reported that authorities have ramped up the surveillance efforts monitoring migratory bird populations.

Luckily, they state there's no indication that H5N1 has jumped to backyard chickens and egg operations in Australia at this time, but the situation is still ongoing.

This new threat to Australian poultry industry operations, who produce billions of eggs and millions of chickens yearly, will be carefully watched, with authorities announcing more funding for H5N1 prevention measures.

They are asking any of you to keep an eye out and avoid touching sick or deceased birds.

Source: Reuters

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