Bird flu: Suspected H5N1 case in seagull a ‘watershed moment’ as fears for sea lion colony grow
A suspected bird flu case has been found in a seagull in what experts are calling a ‘watershed moment’ as fears grow for an Australian sea lion colony.
Concerns are growing for a critical Australian sea lion colony after a bird flu case was confirmed near the endangered species’ key breeding site.
A suspected case has also been found in a seagull in South Australia in what experts described as a “watershed moment”.
Four new cases of the strain - all in greater crested terns - have been confirmed on South Australia’s Kangaroo Island, taking the national tally to 33.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Three are at D’Estrees Bay while the other is at Seal Bay, an Australian sea lion breeding site on the island’s southern coastline.
The suspected seagull case in SA was reported at Robe in the state’s south-east, which Invasive Species Council chief executive Jack Gough said was “a watershed moment”.
“A seagull, one of the most common Australian seabirds, has now likely been infected and the government has declared that this deadly bird flu strain is here to stay,” he said.
“We urge the Albanese government to get out ahead of the inevitable public outpouring of concern and grief by announcing a wildlife resilience fund of at least $200 million.”
Another greater crested tern at Portland in Victoria is also suspected to have H5 bird flu, after the state’s first positive case was confirmed on Thursday in the same area.
Victoria’s chief veterinary officer Graeme Cooke said the new suspect case highlighted the importance of early reporting of sick and dead wildlife.
“We have been preparing for the arrival of H5 bird flu, and we’re now using those plans to support surveillance, testing and response activities across the state,” Dr Cooke said.
“We ask Victorians to avoid contact with sick or dead wildlife, record what they see and report it.”
Australian Chief Veterinary Officer Beth Cookson said all of the positive cases had been wild seabirds in coastal locations.”There remains no evidence of any mass mortality events and there are no detections in poultry or in our agricultural production system,” she said.”The risk to human health remains low.”
