Local transmission of H5 bird flu in wild birds and the confirmation of a mass mortality event on South Australia's south-east coast marks a new phase in Australia's response to H5 bird flu.
At time of publishing, Australia has now recorded 102 confirmed detections of H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza (H5 bird flu) in wild seabirds across South Australia, Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. All detections to date have been in wild seabirds, including greater crested terns, silver gulls, giant petrels and skuas.
“This is a concerning development for Australia's wildlife, but it is not a surprising one,” Wildlife Health Australia’s Chief Operating Officer, Dr Tiggy Grillo, said.
“The recent evidence of local transmission and the emergence of a mass mortality event are consistent with patterns observed internationally as H5 bird flu spreads through wildlife populations.
“There is still uncertainty about exactly how Australia's unique wildlife will be affected, but impacts could be significant and, for some species, potentially devastating.
“This includes species that are ecologically important and species that hold cultural and economic significance for First Nations communities,” Dr Grillo said.
Since emerging globally in its current form in 2020, H5 bird flu has caused unprecedented impacts on wildlife, affecting hundreds of bird species and more than 100 mammal species. Millions of wild animals have died worldwide as a result of the disease.
Species considered most susceptible include:
The Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water has just released analysis which provides a national risk score for H5 bird flu for Australia’s native birds and mammals.
H5 bird flu is expected to remain an ongoing wildlife disease requiring continued monitoring and management rather than a short-term event that can be eradicated from wild bird populations.
“Wild birds naturally move across vast distances as part of healthy ecosystems, and expert consensus is eradication H5 bird flu from wildlife in Australia is not feasible,” she said.
“That means our focus must be on surveillance, preparedness, conservation action and supporting the resilience of wildlife populations, because healthy habitats and strong wildlife populations give native species the best chance of withstanding the impacts of disease outbreaks and other emerging threats.”
As Australia's national wildlife health coordination body, WHA has been working alongside governments, researchers, veterinarians, wildlife carers, Traditional Owners, First Nations communities and conservation organisations to prepare for the arrival of H5 bird flu and support Australia's wildlife response.
WHA manages national wildlife health surveillance information through systems that receive data from more than 45 surveillance partners across Australia, including reports of wildlife disease events and unusual mortalities. WHA also leads the National Avian Influenza Wild Bird Surveillance Program, which monitors wild birds to strengthen understanding of avian influenza viruses and support national preparedness.
WHA continues to contribute expertise through national response arrangements, including the Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases and its Wildlife Expert Advisory Group.
“These systems will be critical as we continue to monitor the spread of the disease, better understand its impacts, and support efforts to protect Australia's unique wildlife and ecosystems,” Dr Grillo said.
WHA is encouraging Australians to remain vigilant and remember: Avoid. Record. Report.
Anyone who encounters sick or dead birds or other wildlife should avoid contact, keep people and pets away, record what they observe, and report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888. Community reporting remains a vital part of Australia's wildlife surveillance system.
For more information on H5 bird flu, including FAQs, fact sheets, guidelines and risk mitigation toolboxes, visit: https://wildlifehealthaustralia.com.au/Resource-Centre/H5-bird-flu
Cover image: Eric Woehler