NSW investigates suspected H5 bird flu in giant petrel

Health authorities in New South Wales are investigating a suspected case of H5 avian influenza in a wild bird, marking the first potential detection of the virus in Australia's most populous state. The announcement was made on Friday, July 3, by state Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty and Chief Veterinary Officer Jo Coombe.

Preliminary testing at a state laboratory indicated the presence of H5 influenza in samples taken from a giant petrel, a migratory seabird, found near Hawks Nest, approximately 228 kilometers north of Sydney. The samples have been sent to the CSIRO's Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness in Geelong for confirmatory testing, with results expected soon.

Minister Moriarty described the development as incredibly concerning for both agriculture and wildlife, citing the devastating global impact of H5 strains. She emphasized, however, that state and national authorities have been preparing for such an event for years. The state has activated its coordination center in Orange, established a dedicated hotline, and is working with federal and other state governments on the response.

This suspected case would be the sixth detection of H5 bird flu in Australia...