Bird flu alert as dead petrel found on Greater Brisbane island tests positive

A dead sea bird discovered on an island on the eastern end of Moreton Bay has tested positive for bird flu, with the CSIRO to undertake further testing to confirm the case.

A Department of Primary Industries spokesperson said the petrel was washed up on Moreton Island, a national park off the north-east coast of Brisbane, on Wednesday.

If confirmed, it would be the first case of H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza in Queensland.

South-east Queensland mayors and poultry stakeholders were made aware of the positive test on Friday morning, with the department urging the public not to panic.

“We’ve strengthened our preparedness measures and continue to work closely with industry to ensure Queensland is ready,” the department spokesperson said.

There have been 17 confirmed cases in Australia since a brown skua, another sea bird, tested positive just over a month ago.

Of those cases, 10 were in Western Australia, five were in South Australia, and two were in NSW.

A sick petrel discovered on the Sunshine Coast earlier this month was thought to be Queensland’s first case, but later tested negative.

No native birds or poultry have been infected by the deadly disease.

More to come

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