H5N1 hits Western Australia’s offshore seabirds, triggering wildlife health alert
TL;DR
Two sick brown skua and giant petrel found on Western Australia’s southern coast tested positive for H5N1 avian influenza and died, marking Australia’s first detections and prompting heightened surveillance amid fears of a broader wildlife outbreak. Experts say there’s no confirmed spread yet, but seabirds could transport the virus as they forage offshore. People should avoid handling dead or sick birds and report sightings via the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline.
- Brown skuas and giant petrels rarely make landfall. When they were found in WA, scientists feared ‘bad news’ for wildlife The Guardian
- Thousands of baby seals died on two remote sub-Antarctic islands. Scientists now think they know why CNN
- Australia confirms first case of H5N1 bird flu as virus reaches every continent BBC
- Australia reports second H5N1 bird flu case in migratory seabird Reuters
- Ingham's locks down WA operations after Australian H5 bird flu case Australian Broadcasting Corporation
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