community - 2026-07-09

Narrabeen Beach bird tests negative for H5 bird flu after weekend scare

Source: www.northernbeachesadvocate.com.au

Authorities have confirmed a dead bird found on Narrabeen Beach over the weekend did not have H5 bird flu, ending a local health scare that had raised concern for beachgoers and pet owners. The Little Black Cormorant was found on the sand in front of South Narrabeen Surf Life Saving Club on Saturday afternoon, 4 July, and was later taken for testing as part of the state’s response to the H5N1 outbreak.

Authorities have confirmed a dead bird found on Narrabeen Beach over the weekend did not have H5 bird flu, ending a local health scare that had raised concern for beachgoers and pet owners. The Little Black Cormorant was found on the sand in front of South Narrabeen Surf Life Saving Club on Saturday afternoon, 4 July, and was later taken for testing as part of the state’s response to the H5N1 outbreak. Surf Life Saving NSW notified authorities after the seabird was found dead and set up a 10-metre exclusion zone around it. The bird was then collected for testing by the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. The result was confirmed on Tuesday, 7 July, after the cormorant was tested at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute at Menangle. The testing formed part of ongoing surveillance and analysis now underway in response to H5N1 after the deadly strain was detected last month on Australian shores in migratory seabirds. While the Narrabeen bird was not one of the large migratory species that have so far returned positive results, its death attracted attention because it raised the possibility the virus could be moving into local bird populations....