Third case of H5N1 bird flu detected in Australian mainland

Australia confirms a third mainland H5N1 avian influenza case, detected in South Australia, underscoring continued preparation for the high pathogenicity strain. Authorities said the virus was found in a migratory giant petrel sick at a beach about 70 km south of Adelaide on June 14, making it South Australia’s first confirmed case. It is also the third case on mainland Australia after detections in migratory birds in southern Western Australia on June 14 and 18. In Western Australia, authorities reported a third suspected case involving a bird in the southwest, pending confirmatory testing. South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas said the state had contingency plans for the possible arrival of H5 bird flu and is now implementing them. The federal government had already committed more than A$113 million (about US$78.1 million) for preparedness measures before the first detection, according to the report.