H5N1 bird flu: Another 19 cases in SA, taking national total to 52

A further 52 cases of H5N1 bird flu have been recorded nationwide, with several more likely to be confirmed soon, in signs the new strain of the flu may have taken root in Australia.In its latest update, the national Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery confirmed a further 19 birds from the Kangaroo Island and southeast coast of South Australia had tested positive.The first confirmed case of H5N1 in Australia was detected in Western Australia.Getty Images“All of these have been wild seabirds found in coastal locations,” a spokesperson said.“There remain no detections in poultry or in our agricultural production system.”While the risk to human health from the virus remains low, experts have concerns for the impacts the virus will have on the nation’s seabird colonies – and as such wider ecosystems – as well as the poultry industry. In 2024, a different strain of bird flu led to authorities killing 2 million chickens, disrupting egg supplies.The latest government update has come less than 48 hours after this variant of the virus was detected in Victoria for the first time, in a dead seagull in the southwestern town of Portland.On Saturday, Agriculture Victoria said it had found another five suspected cases in crested terns in Portland and nearby Nelson Bay.More to comeCaitlin Fitzsimmons is the environment and climate reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald. She was previously the social affairs reporter and the Money editor.Connect via email.From our partners