Dead Pelican Reported for Testing in Fremantle as H5 Risk to Australian Pelicans Turns Very High
Updated
Updated · Yahoo News Australia · Aug 5
Dead Pelican Reported for Testing in Fremantle as H5 Risk to Australian Pelicans Turns Very High
1 articles · Updated · Yahoo News Australia · Aug 5
Summary
A dead pelican found on Bathers Beach in Fremantle was reported to the 24-hour disease hotline, then tested and removed, though authorities have not said what killed it.
A federal risk assessment released overnight said H5 bird flu now poses a "very high" risk to Australian pelicans, sharpening concern even though the virus has not yet been detected in the species locally.
Around 40% of pelicans died in Peru during overseas outbreaks, while in Australia H5 has already caused mass die-offs in greater crested terns and has spread to seagulls.
Western Australia is also seeing bird deaths from botulism, which has been more prevalent in unusually hot weather and can mimic bird flu with similar neurological symptoms.
DPIRD said public reports are helping it triage suspected cases by location and observed symptoms as Australia tracks the virus's spread.