Avian flu spreads among wild birds in Western Australia
Sydney (22 June)
Two migratory birds in Western Australia (WA) have tested positive for the H5N1 flu – a high-mortality variant of the avian flu – but commercial poultry producers have not detected the virus, Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said today.
Inghams – Australia’s largest poultry producer – runs farms and grower networks in southern WA, around 690 – 770 kilometres from the detections, the company told investors on 22 June.
Inghams continues to supply chicken to the Australian market as usual, the company added. But it has closed its farms and processing plants to non-essential workers as a precautionary measure.
H5N1 outbreaks pose a major threat to poultry producers. The virus has infected 207 million American birds across 1023 backyard flocks and 1028 commercial flocks since February 2022, data from the US Department of Agriculture show.
Outbreaks also pushed up American retail egg prices by about 9% in 2024, according to estimates from researchers at the University of Arkansas.
“The Australian Government is well prepared for a potential outbreak of H5 bird flu, with well-established national response arrangements in place to respond to emergency animal diseases, including H5 bird flu,” Collins said after an initial detection on 20 June.
It has also run a series of simulations to prepare for potential H5 outbreaks since 2024, according to Collins.
The National Farmers Federation (NFF) is working with the Australian Government to respond to the WA outbreak. It has urged farmers to review their biosecurity plans and remain vigilant.
“Australia has successfully managed other avian influenza strains in recent years, and the risk to humans remains low,” NFF President Hamish McIntyre said. “[But] it’s important to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Right now, preparedness and vigilance are our strongest tools,” McIntyre added.
Inghams has requested permission from Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer to temporarily house free-range chickens indoors at its WA farms, without adjusting its product labels, it said.
By Avinash Govind