A giant petrel found near Hawks Nest tested positive for H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza, as confirmed by the CSIRO Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness.
There is currently no evidence of spread to local wildlife, commercial poultry flocks, captive birds, or any other birds in NSW, and the risk to human health remains low.
To date, six confirmed cases of H5 bird flu have been recorded across Australia — one in NSW, four in Western Australia and one in South Australia.
The NSW Government has activated its H5 Bird Flu Response Plan, which includes heightened biosecurity measures for commercial poultry producers, voluntary housing of free-range poultry, ramped-up surveillance operations and the deployment of more than 500 trained staff.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is coordinating efforts from the State Coordination Centre at Orange Agricultural Institute.
NSW Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said the result was “limited to a single migratory seabird and has not impacted our poultry sector or domestic wildlife”, adding there was “no impact on the supply of chicken meat or eggs”.
NSW chief veterinary officer Jo Coombe said the detection “demonstrates that our biosecurity system based on the principle of shared responsibility is operating effectively”.
Members of the public who observe unusual deaths or illness in wild birds are urged to avoid contact, record their observations and report immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
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