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A sick bird found on a popular Queensland beach has tested negative for bird flu and will continue to be cared for by a local wildlife charity, as biosecurity officials say the state is well-prepared to manage a possible outbreak of the deadly virus.
The northern giant petrel was found on a beach in Noosa, about two hours north of Brisbane, on Saturday and taken to Twinnies Pelican and Seabird Rescue where it was tested for avian influenza.
Twin rescue owners Bridgette and Paula Powers told this masthead they expected it may take up to two weeks for test results to come back, but on Tuesday, Biosecurity Queensland confirmed the petrel had tested negative for the deadly virus.
“Due to the significant public interest in the giant petrel recovered from Noosa beach on Saturday 11 July, the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), through Biosecurity Queensland, can announce the bird has tested negative to H5 bird flu,” a spokesperson for Biosecurity Queensland said.
“The giant petrel was recovered by a wildlife carer in Noosa during their routine duties and subsequently underwent testing by Biosecurity Queensland as part of the department’s ongoing surveillance program.”
The spokesperson said DPI had received hundreds of reports to its 24/7 Emergency Animal Disease Hotline “to date” and assured people “Queensland is well-prepared for H5 bird flu”.
“Biosecurity Queensland is collaborating with Queensland Government agencies including Queensland Health and the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) to ensure robust preparedness and response arrangements are in place.”
Authorities have been on high alert for the past week after the deadly strain was discovered in a native seabird – a greater crested tern – in Robe, South Australia for the first time, sparking fears it could trigger a national wildlife emergency.
The case marked the first known infection in a wild non-migratory mainland bird rather than a migratory species from the Southern Ocean.
It has brought the total confirmed or presumed H5 cases in Australia to 13.
Almost all the infected birds to date have involved sub-Antarctic species capable of travelling thousands of kilometres across the southern oceans in search of food, making them likely spreaders of the virus.
Coastal birds like the tern found in SA, which nests in colonies, are particularly susceptible.
Giant petrels, such as the one found in Noosa, are uncommon winter visitors in Queensland waters.
Seabird watchers have documented a mass northwards movement of sub-Antarctic species in the past month on Australia’s east coast, a rare phenomenon.
In South Australia, birders have been recruited to help combat the spread of the virus, with a training program launched for volunteers to help identify and report on birds showing signs of H5 bird flu.
“We have people that know these coastal and wetland areas with deep knowledge … they’re passionate, and they want to be able to take positive action,” BirdLife Australia CEO Kate Millar said.
Twinnies Pelican and Seabird Rescue announced on Tuesday it had employed a builder to expand its quarantine facility area in anticipation of more sick birds arriving.
“It’ll be finished within the week, we need it up and running,” the twins’ mother Helen Powers told AAP.
Anyone concerned about a sick or dead bird or wildlife is advised to avoid contact with it, record any relevant information and report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
With AAP
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