No detection of bird flu in Far North Queensland
Shire environment
Tests for bird flu on a dead bridled tern found in Douglas Shire have come back negative, a local birdwatcher says.
Retired biologist David Cook, of Wonga Beach, last week issued a warning to Douglas Shire residents to stay away from dead birds, and keep their pets away as well, saying about 10 dead and sick seabirds had been discovered along the Douglas Shire coast and at Low Isles this month.
He reported the deaths to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline, and a dead tern was handed in to authorities last week.
Testing for the deadly H5N1 bird flu strain takes about a week, and it came back negative this week, he said.
“Why I found two, possibly three, sick terns on or behind Marlin Drive in one afternoon when I've never seen them there in the 25 years I've been living here, remains a mystery,” Mr Cook said.
“Its physical condition, though not great, was not poor enough to cause death from starvation.”
The tests were carried out in Cairns by the Primary Industries Department biosecurity vet.
He said the sick birds found last week were mostly terns that were either exhausted, distressed or had washed ashore dead.
There had been strong winds recently, but trained bird observers had not found any significant numbers of dead or distressed seabirds during that type of wind in the past, he said.
The first mainland case of the deadly strain of bird flu in Australia was recorded in June, and H5N1 has spread across the country since then, including at least two locations in Southeast Queensland.
The State and Federal Governments warn anyone who finds exhausted, sick or injured seabirds not to touch them and to call the hotline on 1800 675 888 immediately.