Arabic version: العثور على حالتين مشتبه بهما من فيروس H5 في جنوب أستراليا
According to ABC News, two additional suspected H5 bird flu cases have been detected in South Australia, including one at a metropolitan beach. The suspected cases involve greater crested terns found near Robe on the Limestone Coast and at a beach ramp near the Semaphore Surf Life Saving Club, north-west of Adelaide.
If confirmed, the Semaphore finding would be South Australia’s first metropolitan case. SA Environment Minister Emily Bourke said the bird found at Robe was located 4 kilometres from where the first Australian seabird confirmed to have the H5 strain was found. Samples have been sent to the CSIRO in Geelong for testing, with results expected early next week.
Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said both birds were deceased and the samples could be degraded, but the CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness would check the sequencing. She said there was no evidence of transmission in Australia, no mass mortalities recorded, and no bird flu in poultry or agricultural systems. The risk to human health remains low, she said.
South Australia’s first confirmed case was a giant petrel found on the Fleurieu Peninsula on June 14. Australia has 18 confirmed bird flu cases, including five in South Australia. Queensland also confirmed its first H5 case after a dead petrel was found on Moreton Island. The latest suspected South Australian cases were reported by members of the public, with Ms Bourke urging people to avoid, record and report dead birds.
