Australian authorities have stepped up H5N1 testing and surveillance after two confirmed bird flu cases, with tests underway in South Australia after dead seabirds and a pelican were found near Fowlers Bay. Papua New Guinea has suspended imports of Australian poultry products, despite Australia’s commercial poultry sector remaining free of detected infection. Officials report increased ground and drone surveillance, additional testing in Western Australia and strengthened biosecurity measures nationwide.
Australia Intensifies H5N1 Testing After Two Confirmed Cases; Papua New Guinea Bans Poultry Imports
FILE PHOTO: A test tube labelled "Bird Flu", eggs and a piece of paper in the colours of the Australian national flag are seen in this picture illustration, January 14, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
Australian authorities have intensified surveillance and testing after two cases of highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu were confirmed. The developments prompted neighbouring Papua New Guinea to suspend imports of Australian poultry meat and products while investigations continue.
Tests are under way in South Australia after two dead sub-Antarctic seabirds and a pelican were found on Monday near Fowlers Bay — a location more than 1,200 km (746 miles) east of Esperance in Western Australia, where the country’s first confirmed mainland cases were reported, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) said.
South Australia’s Primary Industries Minister Claire Scriven told ABC Radio that it could be several days before results from the bird samples are available. "In terms of the turnaround times, it sort of depends on the outcomes ... we hope this doesn't get to South Australia, but we know, of course, that it may," she said.
A spokesperson for the South Australia Primary Industries Department said there are no confirmed cases in the state yet, but officials will investigate any reports of sick or dead birds and will alert the public if a positive case is found. Ground-based surveillance and drone surveys are being carried out at sea lion breeding sites along South Australia’s west and far-west coasts, and testing frequency has been increased in high-risk areas.
Western Australian authorities have sent 11 samples for laboratory testing after receiving 94 reports of dead or unwell birds over three days, and two more birds are being tested at locations distant from the initial cluster. Officials stressed there is currently no evidence of wider spread beyond the known cases.
Trade Impact
The confirmed cases led Papua New Guinea to ban imports of Australian poultry meat and products, the federal Department of Agriculture said. While most Australian poultry is produced for domestic consumption, Papua New Guinea was Australia’s largest export market for these goods in 2023, purchasing A$44 million (US$30.38 million) worth of product.
The department emphasised that Australia’s commercial poultry sector remains free of bird flu and said it is "actively engaging with PNG to resolve this issue."
Response and Risk Management
Until now, Australia had been the only continent without a confirmed mainland case; the virus had previously been detected on the sub-Antarctic territory of Heard Island. Human infections with H5N1 remain rare, but the global spread of avian influenza has devastated flocks and disrupted poultry and egg supplies in many countries.
To reduce risk, Australia has tightened farm biosecurity, increased testing of shorebirds, vaccinated vulnerable species and conducted response simulations to prepare for potential further spread.
Reporting by Renju Jose and Christine Chen in Sydney; edited by Thomas Derpinghaus.
Currency conversion: $1 = 1.4482 Australian dollars.
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