Another six birds will be tested for the H5 avian influenza virus in WA as formal testing continues on a seabird that will potentially become the State’s third confirmed case of the deadly strain.
Authorities received a further 69 reports of sick or dying birds through the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on Wednesday.
WA Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis confirmed on Wednesday that preliminary testing had returned a positive result for a southern giant petrel found in the Quindalup area, north of the popular holiday destination of Dunsborough.
The sample is being further analysed at the CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness in Victoria to determine whether it is the H5 strain of avian influenza.
Results are expected in the coming days.
The latest testing comes after Papua New Guinea suspended imports of Australian poultry and eggs following the initial detection of the virus in two seabirds in Esperance last week.
Meanwhile, South Australia confirmed its first case of H5 avian influenza on Wednesday.
The virus was detected in a giant petrel found at Knights Beach on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
