Bird flu hits Melbourne's inland north

Reporter: James Ohis-Kummer.

A sea bird infected with H5 bird flu has been found dead in Melbourne’s north. This is the first case confirmed in the Merri-Bek council area, roughly 15 kilometres from the bay.

Deakin University Professor and Chair of Ecology Marcel Klaassen says the inland location of the bird was “extremely weird" but given the prevalence of Crested Terns in Port Phillip Bay the finding was possible.

“It’s not an ordinary place for a Greater Crested Tern to hang out,” said Professor Klaassen. “But it’s not too far off.”

According to eBird, an online bird sighting database, Crested Terns are fairly common around the coast and up Maribyrnong River, not too far from Oak Park.

Experts say a single infected bird inland is not the same as the virus becoming established inland. “Birds that are infected are able to fly initially but their abilities are impeded” he said. “When flying they can be readily blown off course.” said Adelaide University’s Professor Adrian Esterman .

Professors Klaassen and Esterman both say the risk of human contraction of the current H5 bird flu strain is fairly minor, however there are other concerns.

“It is really a big risk for our wildlife” said Professor Klaassen. “When other animals eat these dead birds with the virus in them, they run a big risk of dying.”

So far H5 bird flu has been found in a variety of Australian and migratory birds, but also in a few mammals including foxes, seals and dolphins via eating infected carcasses.

“That same route puts our carnivorous marsupials at risk, Tasmanian devils, quolls and small dasyurids are rated among the highest-risk land species,” said Professor Esterman.

To limit the spread, experts advise locals to avoid touching or moving dead birds, and to wash their hands after touching potential contaminated areas like gardens, chicken coops or after going to the beach.

“Just wash your hands,  the virus can't deal very well with ordinary soap and warm water,” said Professor Klaassen.

Merri-Bek Council is asking anyone who finds a single sick or dead wild seabird, waterbird, shorebird, bird of prey or marine mammal, or a cluster of five dead birds of any species to report the finding to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action or call the Emergency Disease Animal Hotline at 1800 675 888.

A group of black swans in Melbourne, waterbirds at risk of bird flu. (Image: James Ohis-Kummer)