Australia’s first confirmed detection of H5 bird flu in a mammal has been recorded in South Australia, after a long-nosed fur seal found dead at Beachport tested positive for the virus.
The CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) confirmed the detection on Sunday, August 23, as part of 11 new H5 bird flu events recorded across South Australia since the previous update.
The fur seal was found dead at Beachport on the Limestone Coast on Wednesday, August 19, with no visible signs of injury, and was reported to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline by a member of the public.
Initial state-based testing was inconclusive, with samples then urgently sent to the ACDP, where H5 bird flu was confirmed.
It marks the first confirmed detection of H5 bird flu in a mammal in Australia since the current outbreak began.
The remaining newly confirmed events involve wild birds across metropolitan Adelaide and regional South Australia.
A greater crested tern has tested positive at Christies Beach, with further events confirmed at Arno Bay on the Eyre Peninsula, Clayton Bay and South Milang on the Fleurieu Peninsula, and Avenue Range and Port MacDonnell on the Limestone Coast.
Other confirmed events include a gannet at West Range on the Limestone Coast, a little penguin at D’Estrees Bay on Kangaroo Island, a silver gull at Goolwa and a black-faced cormorant at Normanville.
There have now been 194 confirmed H5 bird flu events in South Australia.
The State Government recently changed its reporting system in line with national protocols, with figures now based on “events” rather than individual infected animals. An event can involve one or multiple animals.
A further six suspected events have also been identified, bringing the number currently awaiting confirmation to 22.
These include greater crested terns at Lipson Island, Goolwa South and Port Stansbury; a black-faced cormorant and silver gull at Semaphore; and a sooty oystercatcher at Seal Bay on Kangaroo Island.
Samples have been sent to the ACDP for confirmatory testing, with results expected in the coming days.
Importantly, there remain no confirmed H5 bird flu detections in poultry or other livestock in South Australia, while authorities say the risk to human health remains low.
South Australians are being urged not to touch sick or dead birds or other wildlife. Instead, people should record what they see and report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
The State Government is continuing surveillance across wildlife and primary industries, with community forums also being held at Golden Grove/Wynn Vale on Monday, August 24 and Port MacDonnell on Thursday, August 27.
For current event locations, reporting advice and further information, click here.
