Australian Little Penguins Face Major Threat from H5 Bird Flu

Volunteers monitoring the little penguin colony in Melbourne's St Kilda area are anticipating a severe impact from the H5 avian influenza, colloquially known as bird flu. Estimates suggest that between 20% and 40% of the colony's 1,400 little penguins could die if the virus reaches the beach suburb. Little penguins, the smallest species of penguins at about 30cm tall, have a significant presence in Victoria, particularly at Phillip Island.

Lana Austin, president of the Earthcare St Kilda volunteer group, conveyed the concerns during an interview on 774 ABC Radio Melbourne. She stated, "The estimates we're looking at is between 20 to 40 per cent of the population."

Australia has reported 78 instances of the H5 virus in wild seabirds since its arrival in the country earlier this year, as confirmed by the federal agriculture department. Seven of these cases were detected in Victoria's crested terns found along the south-west coast. The first mass die-off of affected birds was confirmed recently at Baudin Rocks, a small island located off the South Australian coast. Aerial surveys revealed approximately 50 deceased birds and 30 additional sick ones.

Samples taken from five greater crested terns and a silver gull subsequently tested positive at the Centre for Disease Preparedness operated by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). Following this, Victorian authorities discovered a further cluster of deceased and ailing crested terns in the Glenelg River estuary near Nelson. Ongoing tests are being conducted in this critical habitat that supports breeding colonies of Australasian gannets and seal populations.

Graeme Cooke, Victoria's chief veterinary officer, remarked, "Last week we talked about individual detections ... We are now seeing a change as the disease spreads out and has further impacts."

Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt warned that additional wildlife die-offs are likely to occur. He noted, "I want to level with people: this is the beginning of what is likely to be a long, difficult journey in terms of the impacts on wildlife."

The H5 strain first appeared in Australia after affecting regions across Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Antarctica since 2021. Major mortality events due to this strain have previously devastated seabird populations in Britain during 2021 and 2022. Despite these developments, there have been no reported cases of the virus in Australian poultry, although farmers in some areas have precautionarily moved their flocks indoors. Globally, H5N1 bird flu is estimated to have caused the death of around 140 million farmed birds.

While human infection remains uncommon, it usually occurs through close contact with infected birds or their droppings. Lara Herrero, an associate professor in virology at Griffith University, indicated that poultry workers and wildlife carers face the highest risk, as the virus spreads in a manner similar to human influenza.

Authorities in Victoria have advised the public to refrain from handling sick or dead birds and to inform local emergency services about such sightings. The cooperation of local communities is critical for tracking the virus's spread.