Coastal vision boosted as bird flu threatens
By DANIEL CLARKE
26/06/26
Shoreline surveillance work has been increased on Kangaroo Island ahead of the expected arrival of H5N1 bird flu, as animal welfare groups ruled out attending suspected cases to protect their volunteers and other wildlife.
The extra government monitoring carried out by on-island agencies comes after the first confirmed case of bird flu in South Australia at Port Elliot this week.
The Southern Giant Petrel was found by surfers and a wildlife welfare organisation on 14 June on Knights Beach, with PIRSA contacting the organisation on 19 June and a positive test result announced on Wednesday. A suspected third case in Western Australia was announced on the same day.
PIRSA said it was able to respond to reports of sick or dead birds and other wildlife anywhere in the state, and that it has “bolstered surveillance operations that we have been undertaking over recent years”.
“We are also surveying Seal Bay Conservation Park, Coorong National Park, Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary and the Adelaide International Dolphin Sanctuary,” a PIRSA spokesperson said.
Kangaroo Island Wildlife Network President Katie Welz said the organisation would not respond to reports of sick waterbirds “where avian influenza may be a factor, unless entanglement or another obvious injury is clearly the issue”.
“In these cases, additional precautions and appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be used by responders,” Ms Welz said.
“KIWN will not respond to reports of clusters of deceased birds of any species. If you observe sick birds or multiple deceased birds, please contact the official Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
“Take photos or video where it is safe to do so and record the location as accurately as possible to assist authorities.”
Ms Welz said that the precautionary response protocols were in place to “help protect our volunteers, community and wildlife”.
“KIWN will continue to record reports and provide advice to callers to assist with monitoring and data collection.”
The Kangaroo Island Veterinary Clinic said earlier this week it would not accept sick wild birds but pet birds would be allowed after an initial phone discussion to assess the risk and ensure staff could wear appropriate PPE.
“It is strongly advisable that pet birds be kept away from contact with all wild birds, including covering any outdoor area's to avoid droppings from wild birds flying over, and ensuring their food and water source is not accessible to wild birds,” the statement said.
The deadly bird flu strain started in Asia but has been spreading globally across Europe and the Americas since 2021, infecting millions of wild birds, and has had a devastating impact on agricultural industries, particularly poultry.
According to Wildlife Health Australia, more than 560 wild bird species and more than 100 different types of mammals have been affected by the virus.
It arrived in Antarctica during the 2023-24 summer and has spread among penguins, seals and petrels, killing more than 13,000 southern elephant seal pups and hundreds of king penguins.
PIRSA said its experts, along with the Department of Environment and Water, investigate every report of sick birds and “samples are collected for further testing and analysis when appropriate”.
“Sample testing occurs at PIRSA’s testing lab at Glenside,” the spokesperson said. “As with every other Australian state and territory, all samples that provide an initial indication of H5 bird flu are sent to CSIRO for confirmatory testing.
“Surveillance is being undertaken in many areas including the west and far west coasts, Coorong, Fleurieu, Kangaroo Island, Limestone Coast, Far North and offshore islands.”
The South Australian Tourism Commission is hosting an Industry Webinar on Monday 29 June at 3.30pm that will include an update from the Minister for Tourism and the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water, Emily Bourke as well as other relevant authorities.
The link to register for the webinar is here: tinyurl.com/birdfluwebinarsatc