Suspected bird flu on Moreton Island

Queensland’s first suspected case of H5 bird flu in a wild seabird may have been found on Moreton Island.

The Department of Primary Industries is responding to a suspect positive case of H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza (H5 bird flu) in Queensland.

Samples from a dead petrel have tested positive for H5 bird flu during initial testing at the State’s Biosecurity Sciences Laboratory (BSL)

Samples have been sent to CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness for confirmatory testing.

Australia’s first case of H5 bird flu was reported on June 20 in Western Australia, with further detections in wild seabirds in WA, SA and NSW.

There remain no detections in poultry, nor evidence of large-scale deaths in any animals in Queensland, however the community is urged to report sick or dead wild birds.

Department of Primary Industries Chief Veterinary Officer Allison Crook said the suspect positive detection was expected and Queensland is well prepared for the next steps.

“We have known that a H5 bird flu detection in Queensland was a matter of when, not if,” Dr Crook said.

“The Queensland Government is well prepared to respond. This suspect positive result has not impacted our poultry sector or native wildlife,” she said.

“We are continuing our enhanced passive surveillance program throughout the state and would encourage the community and industry to continue to be vigilant,” Dr Crook said.

“If you find sick or dead wild birds or wildlife, avoid contact, keep children and pets away, record what you see, and report immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.”