Recent Avian Influenza Cases in Australia Raise Concerns
In the winter months, brown skuas and giant petrels are often seen offshore in southern Australian waters, but they typically steer clear of land. So, when two of these birds were found sick on beaches a few kilometers apart along Western Australia’s southern coastline, it raised alarm bells.
On Monday, authorities confirmed that a giant petrel tested positive for the H5N1 strain of avian influenza, just two days after a similar case was reported with the skua. Sadly, both birds have since died.
This virus has been responsible for the deaths of millions of birds and mammals globally since 2021, but Australia had previously managed to escape its spread. Now, with these cases, there is growing concern among governments and wildlife experts about a potential wave of infections, as it could have severe consequences for wildlife and industries in Australia.
Over the weekend, nearly 60 reports of sick and dead birds were called in to a nationwide hotline in Western Australia. Dr. Beth Cookson, the chief veterinary officer, mentioned there’s currently no evidence that these infections have spread to other birds, though the situation has put experts on high alert.
Many had anticipated that if H5N1 reached Australia, its impact would likely first be felt along the northern coastline, given that the virus originated in the northern hemisphere. However, the potential for it to arrive from Antarctica had always been considered a possibility.
Dr. Lauren Roman, a seabird researcher at the University of Tasmania’s Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, noted that there had been vigilant surveillance by agencies and scientists across Australia for over two years, but all tests had been negative until these recent findings.
Both giant petrels and brown skuas breed during Antarctica’s summer but migrate north in winter to forage at sea, including in southern Australian waters. They are scavengers, and Roman mentioned that this behavior might have contributed to the spread of the disease in Antarctica, leading to the infections observed in these two birds.
Simon Gorta, a researcher and ecologist, commented that while skuas are implicated in the spreading of the disease, it’s not solely their fault. He emphasized the severity of the virus, especially considering how threatened seabird populations already are.
Recent reports revealed that over 13,000 seal pups, along with numerous penguins and petrels, have died from this disease between October and January. Dale Wright, acting director of conservation science at BirdLife Australia, expressed concern that other sick birds might reach Australian shores, potentially spreading the virus further.
Both skuas and giant petrels are pelagic species, foraging and resting at sea, and they generally come ashore only when they’re unwell or attracted by food like whale carcasses. However, if a sick bird were to die on land, it could be scavenged by other birds, including gulls, which would further complicate efforts to control the disease.
Anyone who comes across sick or dead birds or marine mammals is urged to avoid direct contact and instead photograph or video them before notifying the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline at 1800 675 888.
