Bird flu hits the Northern Beaches
The Northern Beaches Council has confirmed the first case of H5 bird flu in a greater crested tern in Warriewood. Local authorities are implementing emergency response measures and advising residents on how to protect domestic poultry and wildlife.
Why it matters
The detection of H5 bird flu requires immediate public health vigilance to prevent the spread of the virus to domestic animals and potentially humans.
The first case of H5 bird flu on the Northern Beaches has been confirmed in a greater crested tern in Warriewood. Council is hopeful that the virus will not impact our area significantly, but said that it may be unavoidable and we should prepare for the worst.
H5 bird flu is a viral disease of birds that is found globally and spreads mostly through direct contact with infected animals, their droppings or bodily fluids, as well as indirectly via contaminated surfaces, equipment, vehicles, water or dust.
Council is using its Incident Management Team to coordinate a response across waste, cleansing, biodiversity, health and safety, environmental health, customer service, and other impacted internal teams.
It also identifying high-risk biodiversity areas and mitigation measures, planning for clean-up, training staff, stocking PPE, liaising with waste contractors, and reviewing procedures.
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