New South Wales recorded its first cases of H5 bird flu in two local birds on Saturday, including one found near Wentworth on the Murray-Darling Basin. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.
Jack Gough, chief executive of the Invasive Species Council, said: "That should be ringing alarm bells for governments because it suggests it could soon be spreading among inland bird colonies ahead of spring breeding season."
"Birds in the Murray-Darling basin are already in decline due to feral animals, insufficient water to critical wetlands and the loss of habitat - now they have a deadly disease to contend with."
Samples from two deceased greater crested terns in NSW – the other found near Narooma on the south coast – tested positive at CSIRO's Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness.
On Saturday, a further 28 positive cases were confirmed in South Australia, bringing the state's total to 147. An additional 13 suspected cases were also detected, including an ibis in Adelaide and a cormorant in Carpenter Rocks on the Limestone Coast.
Victoria confirmed 10 positive cases on Saturday, all from greater crested terns in south-west Victoria and Clyde in south-east Melbourne.
As of 3pm yesterday, Australia had a total of 215 H5 bird flu cases nationally.