Source : Perth Now news
Video footage of the bird suspected of bringing the H5 bird flu to Australia has emerged after the State Government revealed it was waiting on further testing to confirm it carried the deadly strain.
Esperance Wildlife Hospital and Sanctuary posted a short clip of the Subantartic Skua to its Facebook page on Sunday after it was rescued from drowning in the surf at Cape LeGrand Beach.
WATCH THE FOOTAGE IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE
The bird can be seen on a brown towel inside the wildlife clinic.
Clinic director Lori-Ann Shibish said the bird was displaying clear signs of Avian Influenza when it was brought to them.
“On Sunday, a seabird was spotted struggling in the surf and a member of the public brought it to the Esperance Wildlife Hospital and Sanctuary,” she told The West Australian.
“Having been trained by DPIRD and Murdoch University in safety protocols for suspected cases of Avian Influenza, we immediately knew we needed to quarantine the bird, protect ourselves and call the Animal Disease Hotline.”
The bird was looked after by wildlife carer Toni until is passed away days later.
“A very long way from home. A Subantartic Skua was rescued by Toni from drowning in the surf at Cape LeGrand beach. Thanks Toni 🥰,” the Facebook post read.
The bird sparked a national emergency meeting as it could be Australia’s first suspected case of H5 bird flu.
The strain has already wiped out millions of wild birds and marine mammals globally.
Australia’s Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said further testing is expected to be completed “overnight or early” Saturday to confirm if it is the H5 strain.
