The Latest Breaking News from Bird Flu

Iconic Australian mammals could be at real risk from bird flu. Could we protect them using vaccines in baits?

The deadly rabies virus was once common across Europe. A bite from an infected dog, wolf or fox could be fatal.

The Conversation · Aug 26

‘Frequently fumigate the hen-houses’: how ancient Greeks and Romans tried to treat sick birds

Since the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu was first confirmed in Australian wild birds in June, it has rapidly spread around the continent – and among different species. The virus has been linked to the deaths of more than 1,000 crested terns in South Australia, as well as two dozen…

The Conversation · Aug 26

In 2022, bird flu caused an entire Sandwich tern colony in England to be abandoned; four breeding seasons later, the birds have returned in record numbers, creating one of the country’s largest colonies

In an inspiring turn of events, Sandwich Terns have returned to Pagham Harbour in unprecedented numbers following a devastating bird flu outbreak. Thanks to dedicated habitat restoration and predator management efforts, conservationists have helped establish one of England's largest breeding colonies. The sight of flourishing chicks this breeding season, nourished…

The Times of India · Aug 26

Fears for seals grow after second flu detection

There are fears for the viability of Australia's seal populations after another detection of bird flu, while critically endangered birds will be vaccinated.

AAP · Aug 25

Morning Mail: Albanese faces datacentre disquiet, bird flu threat to seals, US vows ‘economic onslaught’ on Iran

The prime minister will try to seek consensus about datacentres at national cabinet; Washington aims to isolate Tehran from the rest of the world

The Guardian - AU · Aug 24

Australia has just 12,000 sea lions left – and ‘carnage’ may await them as bird flu takes hold, scientists warn

Virus has already caused catastrophic losses in seals in South America and sub-Antarctica, particularly among pups

The Guardian - AU · Aug 24

How do you vaccinate 1,000 tiny penguins against bird flu in the wild? It’s ‘really tricky’ but there is a way

Phillip Island’s ‘iconic’ little penguins get first bird flu vaccinations in what is thought to be largest program of its kind

The Guardian - AU · Aug 24

Backyard bird feeding could be a bird flu ‘superspreader’. An expert explains

Backyard bird feeding is one of our country’s most popular pastimes. Research reveals about half of Australian households feed wild birds, with many people doing so daily.

The Conversation · Aug 24

Australia’s bird flu response: too little, but it’s not too late

When news broke over the weekend that Australia’s first mainland bird flu case in a mammal – the death of a long-nosed fur seal – had been detected, I felt deep sadness and dread for what’s likely to come next. We should expect large scale deaths of mammals, in addition…

The Conversation · Aug 23

Bird flu could wipe out endangered sea lion population

An Australian marine mammal could go extinct if H5 bird flu spreads to local colonies, after authorities flagged a second seal has likely contracted the virus.

AAP · Aug 23