Agricultural sector braces for deadly bird flu threat
The detection of a deadly strain of bird flu in Australia could have significant impacts on the poultry industry and the wider agricultural sector.
Two birds in Western Australia tested positive for H5N1 virus; Although no cases have been detected in commercial operations, some large producers have closed farms as a precaution.
Australian National University expert Robyn Alders said the virus was different from bird flu strains Australia had encountered in the past because it was causing serious damage overseas.
“The impacts are significant both from an agricultural perspective and there are concerns for the poultry industry,” Dr Alders said.
“We recognize that H5N1 is causing significant infection and productivity losses in the dairy industry in the United States.
“There is some evidence in wild boars outside Canada.”
This strain can cause infection not only in poultry but in a much wider range of species, including rodents and cats, causing serious illness or death; This makes it difficult to detect, monitor and control.
Dr from ANU’s development policy centre. “If the virus spreads, pet owners, especially cat owners, should be aware that this particular strain is highly lethal to cats,” Alders said.
Despite this, he said it was always just a matter of time before it was detected in Australia.
“Given the spread of the virus and the amount of virus proliferating around the world, this was bound to happen,” Dr Alders said.
“The government and the various states have certainly done the planning as best they can.”
A brown skua and a giant northern petrel discovered off the remote coast of Esperance, about 700 kilometers southeast of Perth, are at the center of the tests.
Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins confirmed on Monday that samples taken from infected birds in Western Australia would continue to be investigated next week.
There is no evidence of mass deaths among birds, although more than a dozen cases of sick or dead birds have been reported.
Despite only two confirmed cases, Inghams Group, one of the country’s largest poultry producers, has announced it will reduce potential risks at all its WA sites.
The manufacturer has since become more vigilant about biosecurity to guard against possible risks.
More than 200 million chickens have been culled in the United States since the virus reached the United States.
The public is urged to report and register sick and dead birds and marine mammals to the emergency animal disease hotline.
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