Australia reports 102 H5N1 detections across five states

Australia’s H5N1 outbreak in wild birds has spread beyond migratory seabirds and into resident species, according to federal and wildlife health updates published on August 6. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry said Australia had 123 confirmed detections of H5 bird flu in wild birds as of 11 a.m. AEST across Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. Wildlife Health Australia said all detections to date were in wild birds and that there had been no detections in poultry or the wider agricultural system. Researchers writing in Phys.org said clusters of dead birds had been found in several locations and that the virus had now infected resident Australian birds as well as migratory birds. ### Why does the count differ from the 102 detections cited in earlier reports? The Conversation reported on August 5 that Australia had confirmed H5N1 in 102 wild seabirds across five states “at the time of writing.” By August 6, DAFF’s national campaign page showed the count had risen to 123 confirmed detections in wild birds, including 87 in South Australia, 23 in Victoria, 10 in Western Australia, two in New South Wales and one in Queensland. (agriculture.gov.au) Wildlife Health Australia said on August 6 that H5 bird flu had been confirmed in five jurisdictions and listed the affected species as brown skua, giant petrels, greater crested terns, silver gulls and an Australian magpie. That species list is one marker of the shift from an outbreak centered on migratory seabirds to one that now includes at least one resident native bird. (theconversation.com) ### Which resident birds and places are now part of the outbreak? Phys.org reported on August 6 that the deadly H5N1 strain had spread from migratory birds to resident Australian birds, with clusters of dead birds found in several locations. Wildlife Health Australia’s incident page separately listed an Australian magpie among confirmed detections, alongside seabird species already affected. (wildlifehealthaustralia.com.au) South Australia has remained the largest concentration of confirmed detections. DAFF’s August 6 update put South Australia at 87 cases, far ahead of the other four affected states. Reuters reported on August 3 that Australia had recorded its first mass mortality episode among seabirds, with about 50 greater crested terns killed off the coast south of Adelaide. (phys.org) ### How large is the wildlife risk beyond the birds already infected? The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water said its H5 bird flu risk analysis was developed with BirdLife Australia and Charles Darwin University to identify species and sites facing the greatest danger. The department said the analysis is being used to guide planning and action across Australia as the virus spreads. (agriculture.gov.au) ABC reported on August 5 that thousands of Australian species had been ranked by threat level, while Guardian coverage of the same assessment said nearly one in five native species reviewed were at high risk from H5N1. News summaries drawn from that assessment said nearly 400 native bird and mammal species were classified at high or extreme risk, including penguins, dolphins, fur seals and Tasmanian devils. (dcceew.gov.au) ### Has the virus reached farms or changed the human-health risk? DAFF said on August 6 there had been no detections in poultry or the wider agriculture industry. Wildlife Health Australia also said all confirmed detections so far were in wild birds. DAFF’s H5 bird flu updates page said the risk to human health remained low. The agency has continued to publish dated updates as new laboratory results are confirmed by CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness. (abc.net.au) ### What happens next as more migratory birds arrive? The Conversation said on August 5 that millions of migratory birds were still expected in coming months, raising the prospect of additional detections. (agriculture.gov.au) DAFF said current totals are being updated on birdflu.gov.au, and Wildlife Health Australia said its incident page would continue to track affected jurisdictions and species. (theconversation.com) (agriculture.gov.au)