South Australian authorities state it is very likely that the H5 strain of bird flu is spreading locally, marking what would represent the first known instances of local transmission within the state, according to Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven. Officials identified 11 additional suspected cases of H5 bird flu, with seven located in the state’s South East and four on Kangaroo Island, while final testing results remain pending.
Localised Distribution Expected Across South Australia
Minister Scriven stated that the pending results, expected later on Wednesday or on Thursday, are extremely likely to demonstrate localised distribution of the virus. According to Ms Scriven, global patterns indicate that H5 bird flu cannot be stopped and has produced local transmission across every other continent, making local spread in South Australia practically inevitable.
Of the suspected cases identified in the South East, individual detections include one case at Southend, one at Cape Jaffa, two at Port MacDonnell, and three at Beachport. On Kangaroo Island, suspected cases comprise one found at Seal Bay and three located at D’Estrees Bay on the island’s southern coast. These discoveries follow earlier detections, including South Australia’s first confirmed case in a giant petrel found on the Fleurieu Peninsula on June 14, followed by CSIRO confirmation that two native birds found dead on separate beaches—a greater crested tern near Robe and another near the Semaphore Surf Life Saving Club—tested positive for the H5 strain.
Did you know? South Australia’s first metropolitan detection of the H5 strain occurred on a beach near the Semaphore Surf Life Saving Club, expanding the geographic footprint of monitoring efforts beyond regional coastlines.
Beach Tours Temporarily Paused to Protect Sea Lions
To safeguard local wildlife populations, authorities are temporarily pausing on-beach tours at Seal Bay. Minister Scriven explained that reducing human interaction builds higher levels of resilience against diseases and other threats for the Seal Bay population. Guided tours along the Seal Bay Conservation Park’s boardwalk will continue, supported by additional Department of Environment and Water rangers deployed to Kangaroo Island.
Kangaroo Island Mayor Michael Pengilly expressed full support for the decision to temporarily cancel beach tours, stating that measures to reduce the risk of disease spread while keeping visitors engaged are worthwhile. Wildlife veterinarian and Adelaide University associate professor in wildlife health Wayne Boardman described the suspected Kangaroo Island cases as sad news and a worst-case scenario, voicing concern that the virus may affect endangered Australian sea lions soon. Dr Boardman noted that sea lions appear uniquely susceptible because they inhabit beaches where large groups of birds aggregate.
Susceptibility Across Shore Birds and Mammals
Dr Boardman warned that a wide variety of bird and mammal species are susceptible to the H5 strain. According to Dr Boardman, shore birds, fairy penguins, egrets, ducks, cormorants, oyster catchers, and raptors can contract the virus, alongside mammals such as fur seals and sea lions. Dr Boardman also supported closing the beach to minimize both direct contact with the virus and the risk of manual transmission via shoes and gear.
Despite the spread among wild bird populations, Minister Scriven confirmed that commercial poultry remains entirely clear of the H5 bird flu strain across both South Australia and the rest of the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has H5 bird flu been found in commercial poultry in South Australia?
No. According to Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven, there have been no detections of H5 bird flu in commercial poultry across South Australia or the wider country.
Why are on-beach tours at Seal Bay temporarily paused?
Authorities have paused on-beach tours to reduce human interaction and protect the vulnerable Australian sea lion population from potential exposure to the H5 virus, though boardwalk tours remain operational.
Where have the latest suspected cases been located?
The 11 suspected cases include seven in the state’s South East—specifically at Southend, Cape Jaffa, Port MacDonnell, and Beachport—and four on Kangaroo Island at Seal Bay and D’Estrees Bay.
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