Suspected H5 bird flu detected in Western Australia
A wild migratory bird found dead in southwest Western Australia returned an initial positive test for H5N1, Agriculture Minister Julie Collins announced, and further laboratory testing is under way to confirm the strain. The H5N1 virus has killed millions of birds and mammals worldwide and recently wiped out about 13,000 baby elephant seals on Heard Island, showing its capacity to devastate seabird and marine mammal colonies. Authorities have raised a biosecurity alert, urged the public to report sick or dead birds, and warned the detection threatens Australia’s many endemic and already threatened bird and mammal species.
Well, the day had to come. “Bird flu” flies into Australia on a feathered wing. Lock up the chooks! According to Australia's national broadcaster, Western Australia (WA) is the site for the first importation to the Australian mainland - via a bird - of an avian influenza virus of an H5 type…
RTarlinton.bsky.social3Urggh , I mean yes it was inevitable but it still sucks, absolutely devastating here in Europe ( still is 5 years after the first cases) . Good luck and remember this isn’t something you can eradicate ( vaccination has to be part of the mix)
Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀2Nod within to @fla-medic.bsky.social who runs a blog with many good pieces on A/H5N1
