South Australian authorities say they have five new suspected events of bird flu in the state, including a red fox in Osborne in metropolitan Adelaide.
SA’s Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) included the fox in its latest bird flu update that detailed five new suspected bird flu “events”.
Samples have been sent to a national testing facility in Geelong for confirmation.
Other affected species reported today included at least one Australian raven at Robe, little penguin at Southend, greater crested tern at Coonalpyn and Pacific gull on Kangaroo Island.
PIRSA said reporting was now based on events, which may involve one or more animals.
More than 300 infection events have been recorded across the country since the first case was detected in June, with South Australia having the most at 195 confirmed events.
H5N1 is an influenza virus and has been known to infect birds and mammals, including pets. It has not been detected in Australian commercial poultry.
Efforts to protect native birds held in captivity have begun at conservation sites around South Australia, with Cleland Wildlife Park to vaccinate around 30 species in its aviaries with federally approved vaccines. Phillip Island’s penguin population is also undergoing a vaccine program.
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