Bird flu: should we be concerned?

In a word, yes!

Some simple bird flu facts:

• Bird flu, or avian influenza, is mostly spread among wild water-bird species.
• Bird flu is caused by viruses similar to the seasonal flu viruses in humans.
• Like human influenza, there are a number of known strains of bird flu.
• Some strains of bird flu can jump species (called spillover) into mammals such as seals, livestock and even humans.
• A particularly virulent strain of bird flu, H5N1, has recently spread rapidly across the globe.

Taking samples from a dead Sea Lion in Peru Credit: The Guardian  

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have reported that since April this year, 191 dairy herds in thirteen U.S. states have confirmed cases of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infections in dairy cows. The USDA also report that since April this year, there have been A(H5) detections in 35 commercial poultry flocks and 21 backyard flocks, for a total of 18.68 million birds affected.

Several strains of bird flu were detected in Victorian poultry flocks in June this year. The latest report from Agriculture Victoria suggests that the outbreak is now under control and no further cases have been detected. In May this year, the Victorian Department of Health reported that a child returning from India was detected with H5N1. The patient has made a full recovery.

Australian ecologists and conservationists are warning that H5N1 could reach here this spring when migratory seabirds arrive. In a speech to the Zoo and Aquarium Association on the 6^th August, Tanya Plibersek, Minister for the Environment and Water, said, “High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza or Avian Flu is something that the government is taking very seriously and preparing for. Because the new H5 variant is coming for us.”

While the transference to humans is not very likely in this country, we should be concerned for our wild bird population. Swans, Pelicans, ducks and waterfowl will be particularly vulnerable.

The World Organisation for Animal Health reports that recent mass mortality events attributed to bird flu include: Germany, 2020, 3000 Red Knots; Israel, 2021-22, 8000 Eurasian Cranes; Peru, 2022, 100,000+ wild birds; Chile, 2022, 4000+ Sea Lions.

In March this year, populations of  Adélie Penguins and Skuas were devastated when a deadly strain of bird flu had already reached Antarctica (WARNING: some images are disturbing).

Adelie Penguin Credit: Wikipedia                       Skua Credit: National Audubon Society

Despite Minister Plibersek’s declaration that the government is preparing for bird flu this spring, I fear we can but watch, wait and hope.