H5 bird flu detected in Victoria
H5 bird flu has been detected in wild birds in Victoria, Australia, marking the first time the virus has been found in the state. Authorities are monitoring the situation and have advised the public to report sick or dead wildlife while noting that the risk to human health remains low.
Why it matters
Early detection of avian influenza is critical for preventing potential outbreaks in livestock and protecting public health.
H5 bird flu has been detected in Victoria for the first time, with one greater crested tern at Portland confirmed positive and a second suspected of carrying the virus.
Wildlife Victoria said it was first alerted after a concerned member of the public called about a tern displaying symptoms of the virus.
It advised the caller to avoid handling the bird and to contact the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline immediately.
Wildlife Victoria monitored the case until Agriculture Victoria responders arrived to contain and test the bird, which returned a positive result for H5 bird flu.
A second greater crested tern reported by a community member has since tested positive for H5 bird flu at AgriBio, with confirmatory testing under way at CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) said.
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