Esperance locals, businesses, leaders on high alert after nation’s first deadly H5 bird flu case sparks fears

The pristine coastal town of Esperance has been thrust onto the frontlines of a national biosecurity crisis following the shocking revelation that Australia’s first-ever case of the deadly H5 bird flu has been detected right on its doorstep.

Local business owners and community leaders are bracing for impact.

For Tracey Lang, co-owner of the Esperance Bird and Animal Park Cafe, the news is a devastating blow, particularly as the region grapples with recent heavy rains.

“I feel a little bit apprehensive and a bit scared,” Ms Lang said.

“We’ve flooded as well . . . so we’ve got huge big lakes surrounding us now where we didn’t have last week. Basically, the wild birds will be coming in for the water. That’s the biggest thing with the spread.”

Despite the anxiety, Ms Lang said the park is not defenceless.

Following recent strategic discussions with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions a “plan of attack” is already being deployed.

The park has implemented strict quarantine protocols and increased surveillance on its animals.

In a bid to isolate their current population, the facility will severely limit the intake of rescued wildlife.

However, if the virus breaches the perimeter, the reality is stark.

“If it spreads, then basically we will more than likely look at shutting down,” Ms Lang said. “Completely shutting the birds and the animals down, just keeping the cafe open.

“It’s going to be devastating if it is here and if it does spread. But for us, we’ll just look at other avenues . . . to protect our wildlife that we already have here, because we have thousands of dollars worth of birds here.

“I’m just hoping that it’s going to stay there and only be that one and no more.”

The discovery has triggered widespread unease across the wider Esperance community, raising alarms for local commercial egg producers, hobby farmers, and environmentalists alike.

Esperance Shire President Ron Chambers said the level of concern across the region is “very raised” and called on Government departments to fast-track their communication.

“They reckon that they’ve been preparing for this for a number of years now, they knew that it was going to happen and that it was going to be inevitable,” Mr Chambers said.

“So I think it’s really important that they now communicate those plans to key stakeholders, whether it be departments and certainly local governments . . . they need to fill that information void very, very quickly.”

Mr Chambers stressed that clear, official facts are the only way to prevent panic.

“If the governments can get these plans out there . . . I think that’ll alleviate a lot of the fears because they’ll be getting the information that they need, not just from Facebook or from hearsay,” he said.

While acknowledging the “gravity of the situation” and the terrifying potential for the virus to decimate native bird populations or jump to mammals, local leaders are urging residents not to panic.

Mr Chambers reminded the public that the virus is globally well-documented and does not typically transfer directly from birds to humans without an intermediary host.

“My advice is for people to remain calm,” Mr Chambers said.

“If people are really concerned, I would strongly suggest that they get in touch with the departments and ask them what they should be doing.”

The Shire of Esperance confirmed it will be actively liaising with Government departments this week to secure the exact roadmap for the town’s defence.