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https://theconversation.com/migrating-birds-could-bring-lethal-avian-flu-to-australias-vulnerable-birds-204793>
"In 2021, avian influenza evolved into a new form – a new and remarkably lethal
variant first found in Europe.
Bird flu is usually most dangerous to birds kept in close quarters, such as
chicken farms. But as it spread around the world, the highly pathogenic HPAI
A(H5N1) variant began killing millions and millions of wild birds too.
Seabird colonies in the UK have been decimated. The virus can kill up to half
of the birds it infects. It has also spread into sea lions and seals.
Luckily, it doesn’t spread easily in humans. More than 50 million birds have
already been culled over 37 countries in a bid to slow the spread.
Australia’s birds have so far dodged this bullet. Our isolation has kept us
safe for now. Antarctica’s birds have stayed safe too. But if this variant
makes it here in the lungs of a migratory shorebird, our unique birds will be
at extreme risk. Black swans, for instance, are especially vulnerable to all
types of avian flu.
The federal government will boost surveillance measures when large flocks of
migratory birds begin arriving later this year. It’s unlikely to be enough, as
we enter a time of high risk from September onwards."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
