There has been a positive test for bird flu on the Sunshine Coast…..the second in Queensland since the outbreak started.
A dead shearwater was found on Castaway’s Beach and it tested positive to H5 bird flu on Monday night.
Samples have been sent to the CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness for further testing.
The Department of Primary Industries’ Deputy Director and chief biosecurity officer, Dr Rachel Chay, said there remains no detection of the virus in poultry or evidence of large-scale deaths in any animals in Queensland.
H5 bird flu is not able to be eradicated in wild birds and is expected to remain an ongoing wildlife disease that will require continued monitoring and management.
The DPI’s Chief Vet, Dr Allison Crook, said the bird was found as part of Queensland’s enhanced H5 bird flu surveillance program.
“A member of the public saw this dead bird and immediately reported it,” she said.
“It is 1 of more than 3,000 reports in Queensland to the Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) Hotline and I thank the public for their support,” 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 EAD Hotline on 1800 675 888.”
Dr Crook said Queensland is well prepared to respond to this latest event and the Department of Primary Industries has an Incident Management Team that is responding swiftly, prioritising heightened surveillance, stakeholder engagement and regular public communication.
“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.
Australia now has confirmed detections of H5 avian bird flu in wildlife across most states.
South Australia has also had mass mortality events in wild birds and for the first time in Australia, a confirmed detection in a marine mammal this week.
The community is being urged to continue to report sick or dead wild birds.
