Australia reports 2nd mainland case of deadly H5N1 bird flu

Australia reported a second mainland H5N1 case after authorities confirmed another sick migratory bird tested positive for the highly pathogenic avian influenza strain in Western Australia. Julie Collins, minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, told reporters in Canberra on Monday that a northern giant petrel found ill on a beach in southern WA on Thursday returned a positive result. The development comes two days after Collins announced on Saturday that a brown skua found sick in the same southern WA region on June 14 had died from H5N1, the first confirmed mainland case. Collins said there is currently no evidence of mass mortality in wildlife or spread to Australia’s poultry or agricultural systems. Ingham’s, one of Australia’s largest poultry producers, said it is implementing a complete lockdown of its WA operations. Environment Minister Murray Watt said Australia is prepared for a potential local outbreak.