Victoria has recorded its first case of H5 bird flu.

Preliminary testing has indicated H5 bird flu in a single greater crested tern found in Portland, in the state’s south-west on Thursday.

“This detection is a result of Australia’s response to H5 bird flu, with the Victorian Government undertaking surveillance for the disease and working closely with the Commonwealth, interstate jurisdictions and industry partners,” Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Graeme Cooke said.

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Further detection is currently underway at CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness in Geelong to formally confirm this result.

Victoria’s State Emergency Animal Disease Response Plan has now been enacted.

“Our plans aim to limit impacts where possible particularly on our most threatened species, while also supporting our farmers and reducing risk to domestic and commercial poultry.” Dr Cooke said.

Victorians are urged to avoid contact with sick or dead wildlife, record what they see and report it.

Farmers are being urged to review their biosecurity plans and keep an eye on any unusual illness or unexplained bird deaths and report them immediately.

“While this detection is concerning, it’s not unexpected and the wider agriculture industry has been undertaking an enormous amount of preparation over the past few months for this very moment,” Victorian Farmers Federation President Ryan Milgate said in a statement.

“Importantly, this detection is in a wild bird. There has been no spread to commercial poultry flocks or any agricultural environment at this stage, and the risk to human health remains very low.”