Dead bird found at Horrocks Beach suspected to be northernmost bird flu case in Australia

A tiny coastal enclave in the Mid West is the site of the northernmost case of suspected H5 bird flu in Australia, after a dead petrel was found at Horrocks Beach. Authorities confirmed on Wednesday that the bird was the Mid West’s first suspected positive case of the deadly bird flu strain. In a statement, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development confirmed two new suspected positive detections of H5 bird flu after preliminary WA testing of dead petrels, including one at Horrocks, near Northampton. The other was observed at Mullaloo Beach in Perth’s northern suburbs. Samples of the Horrocks bird are now being sent to the CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness to confirm the results. This latest case comes after Geraldton residents waited several days to find out whether a giant petrel sent for testing from a city beach was a carrier of the disease. Further testing determined late last month that the bird was not infected with H5 bird flu. At the time, Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis remained calm and advised the public that finding dead birds on the coast was not uncommon. “I’m advised it’s not unusual for these type of sea birds, these migratory birds to be found along the West Australian coast, particularly this time of year, when weather events can blow them off course,” she said. “And so it is not a concern that these birds were found, I guess, because of the species, the migratory nature of these birds. That’s why it was determined that there should be tests.“ There have been eight confirmed detections of H5 bird flu in Australia so far, including five in WA — all in the South West and Perth area. So far, all cases have impacted migratory birds and there is no evidence of spread in WA wildlife or poultry. Community members are encouraged to keep an eye out for any suspected cases, and to report sick or dead wildlife. The dead petrel on Horrocks Beach was reported by Karan Moxham, who was walking her dog along the beach when she noticed the bird. “The dog came across it first, of course, and I knew immediately that it needed to be reported,” she said. “Knowing that there’s the bird flu issue going on, and knowing that we don’t normally see that kind of bird alive at Horrocks, never mind dead.” Ms Moxham reported the dead bird to the emergency animal disease hotline, and said it was gone when she walked along the beach the next day. “I think everybody needs to be alert and most of it has been down south, and I thought maybe it’s good that people are aware that it’s not just down south. You know, it can be further north as well,” she said. Experts have warned that with the cases spread over such a large geographical area, Australia must be prepared for the potential “devastating” impact on local wildlife. ‘’It’s extremely nerve‑racking,” Invasive Species Council’s Dr Carol Booth told AAP. “We’re very concerned that the next report will be of mainland wildlife being infected.” There was a “bit of room for hope” considering native wildlife had not yet been impacted, she said. ‘’But given the climbing numbers and the extent of the geographic spread of those cases, it’s of great concern,’‘ she said. “We really need to be prepared for what could be a really devastating time ahead of us.’‘ DPIRD urges anyone who sees sick or dead wildlife to avoid handling the animals and call the EAD Hotline on 1800 675 888. There have been more than 1200 reports from WA to the EAD hotline since WA’s first confirmed case on June 19. “While not every report will result in birds needing to be collected or tested, every report plays an important role in helping understand what is happening in the environment,” a DPIRD spokesperson said.