Tasmania Detects First H5N1 Bird Flu Case in Native Seabird

Testing of a dead brown skua collected at Burgess Cove on Rocky Cape confirmed the presence of the H5N1 bird flu virus, the first such case in Tasmania. The finding adds the island state to five other Australian jurisdictions already dealing with the disease in wildlife. Gavin Pearce, Minister for Primary Industries and Water, announced that Tasmania will implement its established bird-flu response strategy and has been working with the commercial poultry sector to develop and ready biosecurity plans.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania received the report from Parks and Wildlife Service personnel who have been actively monitoring coastal areas. Brown skuas are large predatory seabirds native to the region, breeding on Antarctic and sub-Antarctic islands. Authorities emphasized preparedness to protect both wildlife and the poultry industry.