Australia reports 2nd mainland case of deadly H5N1 bird flu

CANBERRA, June 22 (Xinhua) -- A second migratory bird found in Western Australia (WA) has tested positive for the deadly H5N1 strain of avian influenza, authorities have confirmed.

Julie Collins, minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, told reporters in Canberra on Monday that a northern giant petrel that was found sick on a beach in southern WA on Thursday has tested positive for the highly pathogenic strain.

It comes two days after Collins on Saturday announced that a brown skua that was found sick in the same region of southern WA on June 14 had died from the H5N1 strain, making it the first confirmed case on the Australian mainland.

Collins said on Monday that there was so far no evidence of mass mortalities in wildlife or of the strain spreading to Australia's poultry or agricultural systems.

"We are working to determine whether the H5 bird flu has established in the wildlife or Australia, other than these two isolated birds," she said.

Ingham's, one of Australia's largest poultry producers, announced earlier on Monday that it was implementing a complete lockdown of its entire WA operations to mitigate potential risks posed by avian influenza.

Murray Watt, Australia's Environment Minister, said on Monday morning that the country is as well prepared for a local outbreak of the strain. Enditem