Seven new cases of H5 bird flu confirmed in wild seabirds on Limestone Coast

IMAGE: PIRSA

South Australia has recorded seven new confirmed cases of H5 bird flu in wild seabirds found across the Limestone Coast.

The Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness has confirmed the detections in greater crested terns found at Cape Jaffa, Port MacDonnell and Southend Jetty near Beachport.

Four of the five birds collected from Southend Jetty were sick, while the remaining birds were found deceased and samples were tested by PIRSA before confirmation by CSIRO laboratories.

Genetic sequencing is now underway to determine whether local transmission is occurring among wild bird populations.

The latest detections bring the total number of confirmed H5 bird flu cases in South Australia to 14.

Authorities say there are still no detections in poultry, captive birds, pets, livestock or other wildlife, and poultry products remain safe to consume.

The South Australian Government is continuing targeted surveillance and is urging the public to report sick or deceased birds to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline.