Fears over how bird flu outbreak might affect Aussie icons such as kangaroos and koalas
A wildlife expert has expressed fears a new strain of bird flu could affect some of Australia’s most iconic creatures.
The first cases of the new H5 bird flu have been seen in the country in recent weeks, with confirmed cases in Western Australia and South Australia.
And with a suspected case found in NSW, fears are growing about the threat it poses to Australian symbols such as kangaroos and koalas.
Jose Quintero, a lecturer in poultry at the University of Sydney, said Australia’s wildlife was probably not ready to deal with emerging diseases.
“Australian wildlife is so unique and isolated and therefore vulnerable to new strains of disease, which means it is impossible to know what will happen,” Dr Quintero said.
“We don’t know what might happen to Tasmanian devils, koalas and kangaroos, and I think that’s a huge concern.”
Although influenza is known to primarily affect bird species, the H5 strain is also known to have a major impact on mammals elsewhere in the world.
In recent weeks, experts have reported how the highly contagious flu has torn apart seal colonies on the Australian islands of Heard and McDonald, south of Antarctica, and wiped out more than 13,000 elephant seal pups.
The unknown element about how the virus may affect native species in Australia is causing alarm.
“It is absolutely unknown which species may be affected by this,” Dr Quintero said.
“We know that those currently affected are not just native Australians but also migratory birds passing through Australia.
“If it gets into Australia’s native wild birds it could spread very quickly and that’s a fear.”
Dr Quintero said it was vital Australians remained vigilant and if they saw a sick or dead bird, do not touch it and alert authorities immediately.
It comes as NSW authorities are anxiously awaiting the discovery of a suspected case at Hawks Nest, north of Newcastle.
Preliminary tests have been carried out on a giant petrel found off the coast of NSW, with the results of further tests expected on Saturday.
Another wader was also found on Perth’s Mullaboo Beach and preliminary tested positive.
If cases are confirmed in both birds, the total number of cases in Australia will rise to seven.
The strain, also known as H5N1, has affected other parts of the world, but until recently Australia was the only continent in the world free of this virus.
