Tasmania has now recorded 50 H5 bird flu events since, with four additional detections confirmed in a Pacific Gull at St Helens, a Great Crested Tern at Bridport, a Little Penguin at Cooee and a Black Currawong on Flinders Island.
While new detections continue to be recorded, there are still no detections in commercial poultry or backyard flocks and no mass bird mortality events in Tasmania.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania says wildlife veterinarians and seabird biologists have begun the world’s first known attempt to vaccinate Shy Albatross against H5 bird flu. The threatened seabird breeds only on three remote Tasmanian islands and is considered highly vulnerable if the disease reaches breeding colonies.
The project will help improve our understanding of how vaccination may protect threatened wildlife and strengthen future response options, with birds monitored through remote cameras and follow-up visits.
Tasmanians who care about birds and conservation can also help in two important ways.
The Aussie Bird Count 2026, which begins on 19 October, provides an opportunity to contribute valuable information about bird populations through one of Australia’s largest citizen science projects. The information collected helps build a national picture of bird distribution and abundance and supports our understanding of how bird populations are changing over time.
The community is encouraged to continue to report sick or dead birds. Reports from members of the public play an important role in helping us detect and respond to potential cases.
Remember to avoid contact, and record and report via www.nre.tas.gov.au/ReportBirdFlu or by calling the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
Image credit: NRE Tas
