A virulent strain of bird flu is morphing as it spreads around the world and Australia looks to be its end destination.
Binoculars at the ready, scanning the sky and peering into wetlands, an army of field workers is anxiously watching for birds carrying signs of a virus experts warn could be catastrophic for Australia’s wildlife.
“This virus, H5N1, in the last 2½ years has spread to every continent on the planet except for Australia, with migratory birds crossing multiple oceans. Experts said wildlife could not be treated once infected with the H5N1 virus, but swift responses such as picking up the carcasses of infected animals, preventing farmed poultry from mixing with wild birds, and not feeding wild birds could limit impacts. There may also be potential to shield endangered species, for example by taking some of those most at risk into captivity to ensure species survival.
The federal Agriculture Department has recently increased its efforts in the field, with teams out in wetlands, near dams and even at water treatment plants where migratory birds congregate, particularly in northern Australia. They are looking for species known to fly between H5N1 hotpots and Australia, and taking blood and other biological samples to test for the virus.
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