A wildlife rehabilitation centre in Mandurah has stopped accepting injured or sick seabirds due to the current risk of bird flu.
Mandurah Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre made the announcement via their Facebook page on Monday.
"Due to the arrival of Bird Flu in Western Australia, Mandurah Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre has taken the difficult decision to not accept seabirds at our rehabilitation centre, until the present danger has passed," the post read.
"We are still open to accept other bird species, mammals and reptiles (except snakes).
"This decision was not made lightly and we regret any inconvenience it may cause. Our intention is to keep all birds and wildlife on site safe, as bird flu is highly contagious."
The move comes after a sick subantarctic brown skua was found on a remote beach near Esperance last Sunday.
Subsequent testing by the CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) confirmed it to have the H5N1 variant of the bird flu virus, Australia's first case.
A sick giant petrel found in the same area has also tested positive for bird flu.
Further testing will be undertaken by ACDP to determine the strain.
The H5 bird flu is a highly contagious strain of the virus that has moved quickly around the world with Australia remaining the only continent that was free of the virus up until last week.
It can cause severe disease and high deaths rates in wild birds along with mammals such as seals, dairy cattle, cats, dogs and pigs.
It also has the ability to infect poultry.
“We all have an important role in protecting our wildlife, poultry and other animals against H5 bird flu," Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis said.
“Our poultry producers understand that on-farm biosecurity practices are crucial to protect the health of their flocks and are well prepared to minimise any impact on production."
The community is being asked to report any dead or sick birds or marine mammals to Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
Further information about H5 bird flu is available at birdflu.gov.au
Kwinana Adventure Park splash pad to undergo $2 million upgrade
Mandurah Detectives recognised for dismantling organised crime network
Two dead in separate crashes in Oldbury and Byford
Nearly 50 tobacco stores closed, over five million cigarettes seized under new laws
Yarloop man fined thousands, rods forfeited over illegal fishing haul
Rockingham named a state hotspot for dog-related incidents against posties
Police uncover 2kg of meth during crackdown on impaired drivers in Mandurah
WATCH: Police release vision of Barragup arsonist
Local landholders encouraged to work together against invasive weed