Strengthening wildlife numbers key to mitigate bird flu

Bird flu was detected in Victoria and NSW between May and July when restrictions were introduced. (HANDOUT/DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE ACTION)

Strengthening wildlife populations, by removing predators such as foxes and feral cats, has been flagged as key to increasing the resilience of bird numbers in the event of a bird flu outbreak. 

Australia is working to protect itself against a deadly H5 bird flu outbreak as it remains the only continent without the strain.