Web desk(National Times)- Australia has detected its first suspected mainland case of H5N1 bird flu in a remote part of the country\u2019s \u200bsouthwest, authorities said on Friday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A migratory sea bird known as a brown \u200cskua found in Western Australia\u2019s Cape Le Grand National Park tested positive for avian influenza, and further testing is being conducted to confirm the strain, said state Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe \u200bare taking the suspected case of H5 bird flu seriously,\u201d Jarvis said. \u201cIf \u200bthis is confirmed H5 bird incursion, there will be a rapid \u2060and coordinated national response.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The virulent strain of H5 bird flu has spread through \u200bwild bird and mammal populations since 2021, killing millions, infecting poultry and dairy farms \u200band even some farm workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Australia is the only continent without a confirmed mainland case of the deadly strain. H5 was confirmed on Heard Island, a sub-Antarctic Australian territory in late 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The country has been \u200bpreparing for the arrival of H5N1 bird flu by tightening biosecurity at farms, \u200btesting shore birds for disease, vaccinating vulnerable species and war-gaming response plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhile, if confirmed, this would \u200cobviously \u2060be a very concerning development, Australia has spent the past few years preparing for this likelihood,\u201d Environment Minister Murray Watt said in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Results confirming whether the now-deceased brown skua had contracted H5 bird flu is expected on Saturday, Jarvis said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She added that \u200banother sick bird, a \u200bgiant petrol, was \u2060also found in the same area and is being tested for influenza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wayne Boardman, a wildlife veterinarian and associate professor at Adelaide \u200bUniversity, said the virus could devastate Australia\u2019s native wildlife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n