Australia reports first H5 bird flu case in native seabird

Australian authorities confirmed the first case of the highly contagious H5 bird flu virus in a native seabird on Friday, July 10, marking a significant development in the disease's spread to the continent's unique wildlife. The positive test was detected in a greater crested tern found in the coastal town of Robe, South Australia, according to federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins.

The confirmation brings the total number of confirmed or suspected H5 detections in Australia to 12 since the first mainland case was identified in a migratory brown skua in Western Australia on June 14. All previous confirmed cases had been in migratory seabirds. Officials also reported two additional confirmed cases in South Australia and one in Western Australia on Friday.

While describing the development as concerning, Minister Collins stated it was not unexpected and indicated the nation's biosecurity systems were working. She emphasized there is currently no evidence of mass mortality in wildlife, no sign the virus has spread to commercial poultry or other agricultural systems, and the risk to human health remains low. Scientists are now working to establish the potential pathway of the...