Australia has recorded its first H5 bird flu detection in a dolphin, with a common dolphin at Goolwa and a red fox in Osborne among 46 newly confirmed events in South Australia.
The detection marks a new development in the state’s ongoing H5 bird flu response and is the first known case involving a dolphin anywhere in Australia.
The common dolphin has been referred to the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) for further analysis.
While this is the first detection of its kind in Australia, dolphins and porpoises have previously been found to have contracted H5 bird flu overseas.
Dolphins would not commonly eat birds, however it is not unusual for the animals to sometimes interact.
The dolphin is one of 46 new confirmed H5 bird flu events reported in South Australia since Thursday, bringing the state’s total to 249.
However, authorities say the significant increase in confirmed events does not represent 46 newly discovered cases overnight.
Instead, it follows a change to how H5 bird flu cases can be confirmed in South Australia, allowing laboratory testing in Adelaide to confirm the virus without most samples having to first undergo additional testing at the ACDP.
Previously, most samples were routinely sent to the national laboratory before an event could be officially confirmed.
The updated process, which is supported by nationally agreed protocols, is designed to provide faster results and more timely reporting while allowing specialist national laboratory resources to focus on more complex or unusual cases.
Samples will still be sent to the ACDP where further analysis is required, including unclear results or cases where more information is needed to support an investigation.
As a result of the change, all events previously listed as suspected H5 bird flu cases in South Australia have now been confirmed, alongside additional positive results identified through local laboratory testing.
Among the newly confirmed events is a red fox at Osborne, which had previously been reported as a suspect case.
The latest detections cover a range of wildlife across the state, including greater crested terns, silver gulls, Pacific gulls, little penguins, cormorants, ravens, a brown falcon, a sooty oystercatcher and a fluttering shearwater.
There are currently no suspect events remaining in South Australia.
Authorities continue to report detections as “events” rather than individual animals, meaning one confirmed event can involve one or more animals.
There have been no H5 bird flu detections in poultry or other livestock, and the risk to human health remains low.
South Australians are being urged to avoid touching sick or dead birds and other wildlife and report sightings to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
For the latest information, visit birdflu.sa.gov.au.
