H5 bird flu now spreading among local birds

H5 bird flu now spreading among local birds

New detections in South Australia and Victoria reveal virus is now spreading among wild birds.

Genetic testing has confirmed local transmission of H5 bird flu among Greater Crested Terns in South Australia, in the first evidence of the virus spreading among a resident population of wild Australian birds. 

Seven Greater Crested Terns have tested positive for the virus in South Australia, while another 11 suspected cases are still being tested. This includes birds found on Kangaroo Island, a Key Biodiversity Area home to 16 endemic bird species.  

To date, Australia has 27 confirmed detections of H5 bird flu. The virus has been recorded in SA, WA, NSW and QLD, while Victoria has today recorded its first suspected case in Portland in the state’s south-west.  

Portland is home to Australia’s only mainland Australasian Gannet colony, a species that is highly susceptible to the virus. The region is also a stronghold for the threatened eastern subspecies of Hooded Plover. 

BirdLife Australia CEO Kate Millar says this significant development is an increasing threat to Australia, and must spur actions to help protect and prepare wild bird populations wherever possible. 

“We’ve seen the decimation of wildlife overseas when this virus takes hold,” Ms Millar said. “We can now see that the virus isn’t just arriving on birds that have caught it offshore, it’s on the move here on the Australian continent. Sick seabirds arriving from the Southern Ocean were like embers from a forest fire. Now we are starting to see spot fires breaking out.” 

“With federal and state departments at various stages of stepping up surveillance and preparing for incident management, we’re asking that real action to protect wildlife is undertaken with appropriate urgency.”  

“It is heartening to see the South Australian Government implement a site response plan on Kangaroo Island, where a positive H5 bird flu case was detected on a beach that is home to a significant population of Australian Sea Lions, however it is difficult to understand why governments still aren’t urgently scaling up actions at other sites that will support the resilience of birds and wildlife in Australia. Healthy bird populations have a better chance of withstanding the virus.” 

“We should be controlling pests at critical breeding sites where even a small number of foxes can have an enormous impact. Funding for nest protection in the Coorong, which is due to run out right at the peak of the next tern breeding season, can be extended. Reinstating funding for weed removal and feral bird control on the Fleurieu Peninsula can help seabirds there. These are known solutions that can be rolled out relatively quickly.” 

Greater Crested Terns nest in colonies and roost in large flocks, making them particularly vulnerable to H5 bird flu. They also interact with other coastal and wetland species such as the locally Endangered Australian Fairy Tern.  The cases from South Australia are not far from colonies of this threatened species that local communities and BirdLife Australia teams have worked hard to protect, yet there is currently no site response plan in place. 

“Australia simply can’t afford to watch this rip through wildlife populations and not act,” Ms Millar said. “Where there are actions that can be taken to give birds and wildlife a helping hand, we have to take those opportunities. Investing in habitat protection, threat reduction, monitoring and conservation action, can help give Australia’s birds the resilience they need to withstand and recover from H5 bird flu.” 

“More needs to be done to target surveillance efforts, mitigate threats and bolster populations of the bird populations at risk. That’s why we’re calling on the Government to invest $200M in an urgent nature resilience package.” 

“We’re pleased that the South Australian government recently recognised that the community has a special role to play by training birdwatching volunteers to contribute to government efforts. Utilising the strengths of this community alongside our scientists and government agencies makes a lot of sense and we’d like to see the other states follow this approach because Australia’s birds are going to need all the help they can get.” 

“Targeted surveillance needs to be backed up with actions that are going to immediately support the resilience of wildlife populations and the species at greatest risk. It’s not too late, but we can no longer afford to wait.” 

BirdLife Australia Media Enquiries
Please contact James Johnson on 0468 193 484 or at media@birdlife.org.au

Avoid, Record, Report 

Any signs of unusual illness or death in wild and domestic birds should be recorded and reported immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline at 1800 675 888.  Do not touch any sick or dead animals.  To learn more about H5 bird flu and what it means for humans, birds and wildlife in Australia, visit our dedicated H5 bird flu information hub.  

Updated 30 July