Authorities in New South Wales have confirmed the state’s first case of the highly pathogenic H5 bird flu in Sydney, after a greater crested tern tested positive at Warriewood on the city’s northern beaches. This latest detection raises the total number of bird flu cases in NSW to 20, following three new confirmations announced on Friday. Additional positive samples were reported from Port Kembla, near Wollongong, and Corindi, north of Coffs Harbour.

Among the new detections is a Hutton’s shearwater at Corindi, marking the first confirmed case of the virus in this species within NSW. Environment Minister Penny Sharpe expressed deep concern over the expanding spread of the disease, emphasizing the limited capacity of government measures to contain the virus among wild bird populations. She urged the public to avoid contact with sick or dead birds and to report sightings promptly to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline to enhance surveillance efforts.

Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty highlighted the importance of vigilance among residents who keep pet birds or backyard poultry. She advised precautionary measures to prevent interaction between domestic birds and wild species, noting that while the risk of exposure to pets remains low, owners should be cautious to protect dogs from scavenging carcasses or chasing wild birds during walks along beaches or parks.

Despite these developments, NSW continues to report fewer confirmed cases compared to other states, with South Australia recording 263 cases and Victoria 148. Nationwide, Australia had documented 468 bird flu cases as of Thursday.

Officials maintain that the virus predominantly affects wild bird populations and that containment remains a significant challenge. They continue to monitor the situation closely while encouraging community cooperation to mitigate further spread.