Queensland has recorded its first suspected case of H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza after a deceased petrel washed up on Moreton Island tested positive during initial screening.The sample is now undergoing confirmatory testing at the CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness.

While the Federal Government has not yet released final results, authorities have confirmed there have been no detections of H5 bird flu in native birds or poultry, and no evidence of widespread animal deaths.The Queensland Government has reassured residents that the risk to human health remains unchanged, urging continued consumption of chicken and eggs.Public health officials have advised avoiding contact with sick or dead birds and reporting them to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline.

This development adds to growing concerns about avian influenza in Australia, with the dead petrel marking a significant moment in the country’s ongoing monitoring efforts.

While the situation is being closely watched, officials emphasize that current measures are sufficient to mitigate risks to both wildlife and human populations.