Arabic version: تأكيد ثاني حالة لإنفلونزا الطيور H5 في جزيرة كينغ

According to ABC News, Tasmania has recorded its second confirmed case of H5 bird flu after a crested tern collected near Currie on King Island tested positive. Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania staff collected the bird from the coast on Thursday, and overnight testing confirmed the H5 strain.

The bird was reported through the Emergency Animal Disease hotline. Later on Thursday, two more crested terns from the same location were reported. Their test results are expected on Saturday. Crested terns are common in coastal areas around Australia, including Tasmania.

The detection follows Tasmania’s first confirmed case, a migratory brown skua found at Burgess Cove at Rocky Cape on the state’s north-west coast. Further testing confirmed that the first infected bird carried the same highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza detected on the mainland, NRE’s Jason Jacobi said.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said Tasmania was prepared and proactive in its response, noting the first case had been found by a Parks and Wildlife staff member conducting proactive checks. Jacobi said a mass mortality event was possible, but authorities would address each case as it was presented.

There have been no detections of H5 bird flu in Tasmania’s commercial poultry operations. People who see a sick or dead bird are advised not to touch it, to record their observations and report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888. Owners of backyard chickens are being urged to keep birds enclosed and ensure food and water cannot be contaminated by wild birds or animals.