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Rachel V Thomas

Australia Reports H5 Bird Flu In Second State; Can It Spread to Humans?

Health officials in Australia have confirmed a third case of the deadly H5 bird flu in a migratory bird on Australia's southern coast, taking the total number of cases to three. The first two cases were reported in Western Australia.

The third case of <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/avian-influenza">avian influenza</a> was recorded in a giant petrel found at Knights Beach on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

According to South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, the state recorded two sick birds that came into the care of a local wildlife rescue group on June 14, ABC News reported.

"Once that was drawn to the attention on June 19 to the relevant authorities in South Australia, we responded quickly and enabled and facilitated active testing of those birds for H5 bird flu," the premier said.

"This afternoon we received those results and they confirmed that one of those birds was negative and one of them was positive."

He also stressed the cases have no connection, as it involved a migratory bird.

"It's also important to emphasize that this is a migratory bird. This is not a contamination or infection that has come from WA to SA."

Further, Malinauskas noted that the volunteers who handled the birds would be given anti-viral medication if necessary.

He urged people who see unwell or dead birdlife to "avoid, record and report" via hotline 1800 675 888.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/france-confirms-first-ebola-case-congo-outbreak-grows-to-1094-cases-277-deaths-article-154743747" data-type="tilCustomLink">France Confirms First Ebola Case; Congo Outbreak Grows to 1,094 Cases, 277 Deaths</a>

Malinauskas said two other sick birds found at Fowlers Bay yesterday had tested negative for the virus.

It comes after two birds were confirmed to have the disease near the town of Esperance in Western Australia.

The country's Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Beth Cookson, said there was no indication it had spread from those two birds.

Genomic sequencing shows the virus in that initial bird — a brown skua — is related to an outbreak on Heard Island and McDonald Islands.

<h2>Why Australia Had Remained Bird Flu-Free</h2>

Until now, Australia was the only continent where the H5N1 strain, the highly contagious strain of H5 bird flu, had not been detected. Although the virus has circulated across Asia since the 1990s and reached Antarctica in 2024, Australia had remained unaffected.

According to Dr Michelle Wille, ARC Future Fellow at the University of Melbourne, Australia's unique bird migration patterns likely delayed the virus's arrival.

"There are no duck species which routinely migrate between Australia and Asia, nor are there ducks that migrate through Antarctica," Wille wrote in The Conversation.

However, evidence suggests other seabirds—including gulls, skuas and giant petrels—may have helped carry the virus over long distances across Antarctica and subantarctic regions, eventually bringing it closer to Australia, he said.

As per the latest update, Australian scientists believe that the H5 bird flu strain killed more than 13,000 elephant seal pups after infecting a breeding colony on the remote Heard and McDonald Islands, one of Australia's external territories in the sub-Antarctic.

Read More: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/sri-lanka-dengue-outbreak-nears-50000-cases-prevention-tips-you-need-to-know-article-154742015" data-type="tilCustomLink">Sri Lanka Dengue Outbreak Nears 50,000 Cases: Prevention Tips You Need to Know</a>

Despite the rise in cases, Agricultural Minister Julie Collins assured the public that there is no immediate threat to human health.

"Chicken meat and eggs remain safe for consumption when properly prepared," she noted.

While human infections remain rare, they can occur through direct and unprotected contact with infected birds, animals, or contaminated environments.

Although severe human cases have historically shown a mortality rate of around 50%, sustained human-to-human transmission has not been observed.

Health authorities recommend the following precautions:

<ul><li>Avoid direct contact with sick or dead wild birds and other animals whenever possible.</li><li>Observe wildlife from a safe distance.</li><li>Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) if handling sick or dead birds or animals is unavoidable.</li><li>Avoid touching surfaces contaminated with bird droppings, saliva, mucus, litter, or bedding from infected or suspected animals.</li><li>Do not consume raw milk or raw milk products, particularly from animals suspected or confirmed to be infected with avian influenza.</li><li>Report sick or dead birds to local authorities if encountered.</li></ul>

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Health officials in Australia have confirmed a third case of the deadly H5 bird flu in a migratory bird on Australia's southern coast, taking the total number of cases to three. The first two cases were reported in Western Australia.The third case of avian influenza was recorded in a giant petrel found at Knights Beach on the Fleurieu Peninsula.According to South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, the state recorded two sick birds that came into the care of a local wildlife rescue group on June 14, ABC News reported."Once that was drawn to the attention on June 19 to the relevant authorities in South Australia, we responded quickly and enabled and facilitated active testing of those birds for H5 bird flu," the premier said."This afternoon we received those results and they confirmed that one of those birds was negative and one of them was positive."He also stressed the cases have no connection, as it involved a migratory bird."It's also important to emphasize that this is a migratory bird. This is not a contamination or infection that has come from WA to SA."Further, Malinauskas noted that the volunteers who handled the birds would be given anti-viral medication if necessary.He urged people who see unwell or dead birdlife to "avoid, record and report" via hotline 1800 675 888.Also read: France Confirms First Ebola Case; Congo Outbreak Grows to 1,094 Cases, 277 DeathsMalinauskas said two other sick birds found at Fowlers Bay yesterday had tested negative for the virus.It comes after two birds were confirmed to have the disease near the town of Esperance in Western Australia.The country's Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Beth Cookson, said there was no indication it had spread from those two birds.Genomic sequencing shows the virus in that initial bird — a brown skua — is related to an outbreak on Heard Island and McDonald Islands.Why Australia Had Remained Bird Flu-FreeUntil now, Australia was the only continent where the H5N1 strain, the highly contagious strain of H5 bird flu, had not been detected. Although the virus has circulated across Asia since the 1990s and reached Antarctica in 2024, Australia had remained unaffected.According to Dr Michelle Wille, ARC Future Fellow at the University of Melbourne, Australia's unique bird migration patterns likely delayed the virus's arrival."There are no duck species which routinely migrate between Australia and Asia, nor are there ducks that migrate through Antarctica," Wille wrote in The Conversation.However, evidence suggests other seabirds—including gulls, skuas and giant petrels—may have helped carry the virus over long distances across Antarctica and subantarctic regions, eventually bringing it closer to Australia, he said.As per the latest update, Australian scientists believe that the H5 bird flu strain killed more than 13,000 elephant seal pups after infecting a breeding colony on the remote Heard and McDonald Islands, one of Australia's external territories in the sub-Antarctic.Read More: Sri Lanka Dengue Outbreak Nears 50,000 Cases: Prevention Tips You Need to KnowCan Bird Flu Affect Humans?Despite the rise in cases, Agricultural Minister Julie Collins assured the public that there is no immediate threat to human health."Chicken meat and eggs remain safe for consumption when properly prepared," she noted.While human infections remain rare, they can occur through direct and unprotected contact with infected birds, animals, or contaminated environments.Although severe human cases have historically shown a mortality rate of around 50%, sustained human-to-human transmission has not been observed.How to Protect YourselfHealth authorities recommend the following precautions:Avoid direct contact with sick or dead wild birds and other animals whenever possible.Observe wildlife from a safe distance.Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) if handling sick or dead birds or animals is unavoidable.Avoid touching surfaces contaminated with bird droppings, saliva, mucus, litter, or bedding from infected or suspected animals.Do not consume raw milk or raw milk products, particularly from animals suspected or confirmed to be infected with avian influenza.Report sick or dead birds to local authorities if encountered.

australia reports h5 bird flu in second state; can it spread to humans?

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Australia Reports H5 Bird Flu In Second State; Can It Spread to Humans?

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