Australia ramps up bird flu surveillance

Australian authorities ramped up surveillance and testing after two cases of the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu were confirmed in migratory seabirds, as local media reported on Wednesday that several specimens were found dead on remote beaches.

Tests are under way in South Australia after two dead sub-Antarctic seabirds and a pelican were found on Monday near Fowlers Bay, more than 1,200 km east of Esperance in Western Australia where the first two confirmed cases were reported.

South Australia state Primary Industries Minister Claire Scriven told Australian Broadcasting Corporation Radio it could be several days before results from the samples are available. "We hope this doesn't get to South Australia, but we know, of course, that it may," Scriven said.

A South Australia Primary Industries Department spokesperson said there were no confirmed bird flu cases in the state, but it will investigate any reports of sick or dead birds and will alert the public if a positive case is found. REUTERS