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<\/p>\nAustralia\u2019s first case of the deadly H5 bird flu has been officially confirmed, with a second infection currently under investigation.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s resulted in a race to protect the nation\u2019s wildlife with Aussie animal icons now at risk from the global threat.<\/p>\n
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This brown skua, found at Cape Le Grand National Park near Esperance and taken in by a carer, is Australia’s first confirmed H5 strain case.\u00a09News<\/p>\n
The devastating H5 strain has officially been confirmed in a migratory seabird found on WA\u2019s south coast. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the highly pathogenic strain of concern that has been circulating globally,\u201d Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said.<\/p>\n
The brown skua was found at Cape Le Grand National Park near Esperance and taken in by a carer.<\/p>\n
Not long after, a giant petrel in the same area also returned a suspected positive test. Both birds have since died.<\/p>\n
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A second infection is currently under investigation.\u00a09News<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile this is an isolated incident, we should prepare ourselves that other birds and marine mammals may be impacted,\u201d Jackie Jarvis, WA Agriculture Minister, said.<\/p>\n
Rangers and wildlife carers now on the ground in Esperance with more than a dozen calls received for reports of dead birds, which are now being tested.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf it does establish in Australia there\u2019s very little we can do to stop the spread,\u201d Dr Fiona Fraser, Threatened Species Commissioner, said.<\/p>\n
The disease has spread around the world, wiping out millions of birds and animals – including 75 per cent of elephant seal pups on Heard Island, off WA\u2019s coast.<\/p>\n
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Species only found in Australia could be at risk, including the black swan (pictured), little penguin and Tasmanian devil.\u00a09News<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is like walking into a graveyard,\u201d Birdlife Australia CEO Kate Millar said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll it was, was a sea of devastation, of carcasses, of those 13,000 seal pups.<\/p>\n
Species only found in Australia could be at risk, including the black swan, little penguin and Tasmanian devil.<\/p>\n
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Tailored plans are now in place for animals under threat, like the Tasmanian Devil (pictured).\u00a09News<\/p>\n
\u201cBased on the overseas experience there could clearly be population level impacts for our species,\u201d Fraser said.<\/p>\n
Tailored plans are now in place for animals under threat.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt really is a genuine threat of extinction risk we are facing for those threatened species that are already under so much pressure in such low numbers,\u201d Millar said.<\/p>\n
Farmers are also on alert with the disease costing billions overseas.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf it gets into the commercial farming industry and it\u2019s a long way from doing that, but if it did the consequences economically and socially for regional Australian furniture would be enormous,\u201d Mike Guerin, CEO of National Farmers Federation said.<\/p>\n
There are concerns unique backyard chickens will have to go, to protect commercial flocks.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome of the breeds bred in WA are 500-600 years old,\u201d WA poultry association president Reece Jerrett told 9News.<\/p>\n
\u201cAny of the breeds of chicken with the fluffy heads, curly feathers or fluffy feet.\u201d<\/p>\n
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There are concerns unique backyard chickens will have to go, to protect commercial flocks.\u00a09News<\/p>\n
At this stage, the risk to humans is low as it\u2019s only spread by sustained contact with infected animals.<\/p>\n
But the government will need help from the community if there\u2019s any chance of keeping this disease at bay.<\/p>\n
Pets should steer clear of birds too with the advice to keep dogs on leashes in wildlife areas and prevent cats from roaming.<\/p>\n