Greater crested tern tests positive for bird flu at Windang
The Illawarra has its first confirmed case of H5 bird flu, with one greater crested tern at Windang testing positive, the NSW Government has reported
The Illawarra has its first confirmed case of H5 bird flu, with one greater crested tern at Windang testing positive, the NSW Government has reported.
The bird is one of 14 confirmed cases in NSW, including 10 greater crested terns in Eden, Narooma, Merimbula, and Wentworth.
"It indicates the virus is moving long distances, likely in greater crested terns, given similar detections in Narooma, Merimbula and Eden," said Dr Bethany Hoye, a senior lecturer studying wildlife-microbe interactions at the University of Wollongong.
"In all of those places we haven’t yet seen mass mortalities (few to several birds so far), which might not be surprising considering these birds don’t tend to settle in their colonies (at least the one on Big Island) until about mid September."
Greater crested terns breed on Wollongong's Five Islands, albeit in smaller numbers than silver gulls, aka seagulls, which may peak at about 50,000.
The risk of bird flu spreading is highest in spring breeding season, said Bethany, who has led long-term research on silver gulls at the Five Islands.
For our beloved chip thieves of beachside cafe legend, and many other wild species, vaccination is impractical. “The numbers are huge, and they're probably not going to form an orderly queue in the old David Jones building for vaccination,” Bethany told the Flame earlier this month.
Across Australia since 19 June, there have been 318 positive cases of H5N1 and 27,692 reports to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline. This includes a dead pelican in Mullet Creek, which a member of the Illawarra Canoe Club reported this morning.
Not every report leads to a test.
Yesterday a spokesperson at the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development said the government was undertaking "ongoing surveillance and investigations".
"DPIRD reviews all reports of sick or dead birds carefully and assesses them based on factors such as the species involved, the number of animals affected, the location and the likelihood of disease risk," the spokesperson said.
"While not every report will result in birds being collected or tested, every report contributes to DPIRD’s understanding of wildlife health across NSW and helps with monitoring for signs of disease. This targeted approach ensures resources are focused where they are needed most, while maintaining strong surveillance for H5 bird flu across NSW.
"If a member of the public finds a sick or dead wild birds they should avoid contact, record by taking photos or video and immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 or by using the online reporting form."
The H5 bird flu strain is highly contagious, but the risk to human health is low.
Read more
Genevieve Swart
