Suspected H5 bird flu case found in seabird on NSW Mid North Coast

A suspected case of H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza has been identified in a giant petrel near Hawks Nest on the Mid North Coast. Samples from the bird have been sent to the CSIRO for laboratory confirmation. The NSW poultry industry supplies more than a third of eggs and chickens consumed nationally.

Suppliers are now monitoring developments while no detections have been reported in commercial poultry.

The NSW Agriculture Minister stated there is no evidence of spread in local wildlife or any detections in poultry. The minister said there is no need to panic at this stage. The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development last week established an incident response team at the State Coordination Centre in Orange.

Team members are logging about 100 calls a day reporting sick bird sightings.

A poultry operator at Bowraville who manages around 1,000 birds said it is only a matter of time before commercial operations are affected. The operator has decided to sell some stock as a precaution and plans to remove ducks and geese that are free range.

Australian Eggs managing director said the industry is both optimistic and realistic. The early signs show limited detections in migratory seabirds and none in resident wildlife or commercial poultry despite increased surveillance. A veterinarian at Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary said the facility has stopped accepting migratory seabirds due to the risk.

The sanctuary has plans in place to manage the disease if it arrives.