Qld wildlife rescuers brace for H5 avian influenza after sick bird found at Noosa

Wildlife rescuers in Queensland are preparing for potential H5 avian influenza after a sick northern giant petrel was found on the sand at Noosa Main Beach over the weekend. Will Watson, of Wildlife Noosa, said he and others wore protective gear and transferred the bird to RSPCA Queensland’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre at Eumundi, where swabs were taken for H5 testing on Saturday. The bird was then moved to Twinnies Pelican and Seabird Rescue in Landsborough and remains in quarantine while test results are pending. Twinnies operators Bridgette and Paula Powers said precautions include using a cardboard box and dedicated quarantine procedures, with plans to build a larger facility after their recent $30,000 fundraising appeal. Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry reported 13 confirmed H5 detections in wild birds as of 9am Monday, including seven in Western Australia, five in South Australia and one in New South Wales.