The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

Migrating birds could bring lethal avian flu to Australia's vulnerable birds

  • Written by Parwinder Kaur, Associate Professor | Director, DNA Zoo Australia, The University of Western Australia
Migrating birds could bring lethal avian flu to Australia's vulnerable birds

In 2021, avian influenza evolved into a new form – a new and remarkably lethal variant first found[1] 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[2] 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[3] 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[4] to all types of avian flu.

The federal government will boost[5] 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.

bird flu
Birds and seals around the world have died from the H5N1 variant, as in this image of workers burying pelicans on a Peru beach. AAP

Could it really get here?

Yes.

Surveillance of Australia’s vast coastlines is all but impossible. Instead, the government is likely to focus on the major wetlands and shallow inlets which attract migratory birds.

Every year, around eight million birds take the East Asian-Australasian Flyway[6] – a route stretching from the Arctic Circle down through east and south-east Asia to Australia and New Zealand.

Is the H5N1 flu lethal enough to be self-limiting? Not necessarily. A bird could get a mild dose and still be infectious when it arrives. That means there’s a good chance this variant could arrive. It would only take one infectious shorebird to trigger outbreaks.

If it gets here, the virus would decimate poultry farms and wild birds, just as it has overseas. In densely populated farms, it can kill[7] 90-100% of all birds.

It could pose an extinction threat to iconic birds such as black swans, which have an immune deficiency[8] making them particularly at risk. Flocking birds like rainbow lorikeets and corellas would also be at extra risk of catching the virus.

black swan Black swans are particularly vulnerable to this virus. Mitchell Luo/Unsplash, CC BY[9]

Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt has dismissed the idea Australia is unprepared.

He said[10] his government had been “closely monitoring the global HPAI situation” and had boosted early warning efforts.

But what we don’t have is an action plan for what happens if the virus does arrive, as seems likely.

Responses like the mass destruction[11] of beehives after the devastating varroa mite arrived are unlikely to work for a virus. A tailored vaccine could help domestic birds, but it would be all but impossible to administer to wild birds.

Over time, birds with natural resistance would survive and breed populations back up. But endangered species or those particularly vulnerable would find it much harder to bounce back.

Read more: Australia's iconic black swans have a worrying immune system deficiency, new genome study finds[12]

Haven’t our birds survived bird flu before?

Yes, but not quite like this one.

In 2020, three egg producers in Victoria had an outbreak[13] of another highly pathogenic influenza variant, H7N7. To stop it spreading, authorities culled all birds in the farms.

This variant emerged when low pathogenic viruses carried by local wild birds evolved into a deadlier form. While authorities stopped its spread on poultry farms, they could do nothing about the wild reservoir of the virus.

far eastern curlew Far eastern curlews travel thousands of kilometres to get to Australia and New Zealand. One could be carrying the virus. AP

If H7N7 is still around, it could pose even more problems. When two different influenza virus subtypes infect the same host cell, their genetic material can mix to create a new virus, which could be milder – or more severe.

Australian scientists have researched the impact of low pathogenic avian influenza[14] on many bird families, which gives some insight into how highly pathogenic avian influenza may spread in Australia. For instance, arid areas would likely be better protected from the virus, which does not like dry conditions.

But can we act in time? We know what to do when there’s an outbreak in domesticated birds. But if the virus gets into wild birds and takes off, we have no plan.

Rapid monitoring and surveillance of wildlife pathogens is a major gap in Australia’s biosecurity framework – and one we should fill.

We must prepare

COVID from bats or raccoon dogs[15]. Ebola from bats[16]. Avian flu from birds. As we back nature into a corner, we can find ourselves more exposed to the viruses wild animals carry.

So far, the HPAI H5N1 strain is only known to have jumped into humans a handful of times[17].

That’s lucky. Around 800 people have contracted one of the variants of bird flu since 2003. Of these, more than half died. That’s a similar death rate to many of the birds dying of the avian flu elsewhere in the world. The main protection we have at present is the fact avian flu finds it hard to infect us in the first place.

To save our birds – and potentially, ourselves – we need a better way to detect and track viral outbreaks in wildlife, particularly those which could jump across into humans.

Read more: What is spillover? Bird flu outbreak underscores need for early detection to prevent the next big pandemic[18]

References

  1. ^ first found (www.cdc.gov)
  2. ^ have been (www.theguardian.com)
  3. ^ already been culled (www.gov.uk)
  4. ^ especially vulnerable (theconversation.com)
  5. ^ will boost (www.agriculture.gov.au)
  6. ^ East Asian-Australasian Flyway (www.eaaflyway.net)
  7. ^ can kill (theconversation.com)
  8. ^ immune deficiency (theconversation.com)
  9. ^ CC BY (creativecommons.org)
  10. ^ He said (www.theguardian.com)
  11. ^ mass destruction (theconversation.com)
  12. ^ Australia's iconic black swans have a worrying immune system deficiency, new genome study finds (theconversation.com)
  13. ^ had an outbreak (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  14. ^ low pathogenic avian influenza (royalsocietypublishing.org)
  15. ^ raccoon dogs (www.theatlantic.com)
  16. ^ from bats (www.science.org)
  17. ^ handful of times (www.who.int)
  18. ^ What is spillover? Bird flu outbreak underscores need for early detection to prevent the next big pandemic (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/migrating-birds-could-bring-lethal-avian-flu-to-australias-vulnerable-birds-204793

The Times Features

Best Deals on Home Furniture Online

Key Highlights Discover the best deals on high-quality outdoor furniture online. Transform your outdoor space into a stylish and comfortable oasis. Explore a wide range of d...

Discover the Best Women's Jumpers for Every Season

Key Highlights Explore lightweight jumpers for spring and summer, ensuring breathability and ease. Wrap up warm with cozy wool jumpers for the chilly autumn and winter season...

Uncover the Elegance of Gorgeous Diamond Tennis Necklaces

Key Highlights Diamond tennis necklaces are a timeless piece of jewelry that exudes elegance and sophistication. They feature a continuous line of brilliant-cut diamonds, cre...

Dental Implants vs. Dentures: Which Is Better for You?

When it comes to replacing missing teeth, two of the most common options are dental implants and dentures. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, so choosing between them ...

What Neck Pain Really Means (And Why It’s More Than Just Poor Posture)

Neck pain is often brushed off as something temporary — a tight spot after a long day at the desk or a poor night’s sleep. But when the discomfort keeps returning, it could be a ...

The Work of Gosha Rubchinskiy: Fashion, Culture, and Youth

From Designer to Cultural Architect Gosha Rubchinskiy is not just a fashion designer—he's a cultural force. Born in Moscow in 1984, Rubchinskiy began his career in fashion in t...

Times Magazine

The Essential Guide to Transforming Office Spaces for Maximum Efficiency

Why Office Fitouts MatterA well-designed office can make all the difference in productivity, employee satisfaction, and client impressions. Businesses of all sizes are investing in updated office spaces to create environments that foster collaborat...

The A/B Testing Revolution: How AI Optimized Landing Pages Without Human Input

A/B testing was always integral to the web-based marketing world. Was there a button that converted better? Marketing could pit one against the other and see which option worked better. This was always through human observation, and over time, as d...

Using Countdown Timers in Email: Do They Really Increase Conversions?

In a world that's always on, where marketers are attempting to entice a subscriber and get them to convert on the same screen with one email, the power of urgency is sometimes the essential element needed. One of the most popular ways to create urg...

Types of Software Consultants

In today's technology-driven world, businesses often seek the expertise of software consultants to navigate complex software needs. There are several types of software consultants, including solution architects, project managers, and user experienc...

CWU Assistive Tech Hub is Changing Lives: Win a Free Rollator Walker This Easter!

🌟 Mobility. Independence. Community. All in One. This Easter, the CWU Assistive Tech Hub is pleased to support the Banyule community by giving away a rollator walker. The giveaway will take place during the Macleod Village Easter Egg Hunt & Ma...

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

LayBy Shopping