Australia Steps Up H5 Bird Flu Testing to Investigate Potential Wildlife Transmission Chain

CANBERRA, June 22 (CNA) -- Australian authorities are intensifying testing after the first detection of two cases of H5 avian influenza to determine if the virus has established a sustained transmission chain within wildlife populations.

According to AFP, Australian officials confirmed on June 20 that the H5N1 avian influenza virus was detected in a migratory bird, a brown skua, in a remote area of Western Australia. This marks the first detection of this virus strain in Australia's native wildlife.

Officials stated that another sick giant petrel in the same region has also been confirmed to be infected with the H5 avian influenza virus.

Australian Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said that over the next three to seven days, experts will investigate whether the virus has spread further through enhanced monitoring and sampling.

"We want to confirm whether this virus has established a sustained transmission chain within Australia's wildlife populations," she said at a press conference.

Collins noted that there have been no detections of H5 avian influenza in Australia's domestic poultry or agricultural systems, nor is there any evidence of widespread mortality in wildlife.

She pointed out that experiences in other countries show that once the H5 virus enters a farm, it is difficult to eradicate, and it can have a "devastating" impact on wildlife.

The H5 avian influenza has caused severe illness and high mortality rates in domestic poultry and wild birds in many parts of the world, and has spread to various mammal species.

Among the most affected wild birds are waterfowl, coastal birds, seabirds, and raptors. Marine mammals have also had infection cases, and other infected animals include cats, goats, alpacas, and pigs.

Given Australia's large number of endemic species, concerns have been raised that H5 avian influenza could further exacerbate the extinction risk for local wildlife. local wildlife. local wildlife. (Compiled by Shi Shi) 1150622

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