Authorities testing six new suspected H5N1 cases at Portland and Nelson Bay
Australian authorities have identified six new suspected cases of H5N1 bird flu in crested terns, bringing the national total to 53. While the virus has spread across multiple states, officials maintain that the threat to poultry and humans remains low.
Why it matters
Monitoring the spread of H5N1 is critical for public health and agricultural biosecurity to prevent potential outbreaks in livestock.
The suspected cases have been found in crested terns. ( Supplied: iNaturalist/Jens Sommer-Knudsen )
Preliminary testing has identified six more suspected H5N1 cases in south-west Victoria, adding to a total of 20 new cases around the country.
The deadly disease was first confirmed in Victoria on Thursday, after first spreading to four other states.
Victoria's Chief Veterinary Officer Graeme Cooke urged Victorians to avoid contact with sick or dead wildlife and to record and report what they see.
Link copied Share Share article Six more suspected cases of H5N1 bird flu have been detected in Victoria's south-west, adding to a total of 20 newly discovered cases nationwide.
It means there have now been 53 confirmed or presumed positive detections of the bird flu strain in Australia.
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