You’ve probably seen the terrible news about the bird flu pandemic that is wiping out millions of birds around the world, including penguins in Antarctica. It is affecting wild birds, poultry and some mammals on every continent except Australia. So far.
Australia is home to wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. Some of these species are in danger of extinction, such as the Australian sea lion, little penguin and shy albatross. It is only a matter of time before this devastating virus reaches our shores and the potential consequences for Australia’s marine wildlife are frightening.
As the last continent free of this deadly virus, Australia must prepare now to prevent or minimise outbreaks among our vulnerable and unique species. With evidence of the virus spreading asymptomatically and over vast distances, bird flu could arrive in Australia at any time.
What is Bird Flu?
Bird flu, or avian influenza, is a type of viral infection that affects birds, including domestic poultry and wild birds. This highly infectious virus can cause a range of symptoms, from mild respiratory problems, fever and decreased egg production to sudden death. It is spread through direct contact with infected birds, contaminated food and water, and airborne transmission.
What is the H5N1 Bird Flu Strain?
Three separate strains of bird flu – H7N3, H7N9 and H7N8 – have already been detected in Australian poultry farms. The strain that is currently sweeping around the globe is called H5N1, also known as H5 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI). The H5N1/HPAI strain is the most highly contagious and deadly version of the bird flu virus, particularly to vulnerable wildlife, including some mammals.
Currently Australia is the only continent free from the H5N1/HPAI variant (hereafter ‘bird flu’) that has caused havoc worldwide.
What is the Risk to Marine Wildlife?
Bird flu can have devastating impacts on marine wildlife, particularly seabirds and shorebirds, potentially leading to significant population declines or even local extinctions.
The deadly H5N1 strain can also be transmitted between mammals, as shown by the ‘unprecedented’ mass deaths of elephant seals and sea lions in South America. The virus reached South America in 2022 and spread from north to south within six months, killing an estimated 30,000 sea lions.
Recent expeditions to Antarctica have revealed the devastating toll the virus has taken on the continent’s marine wildlife. Fur seals and elephant seals have been heavily impacted by H5N1, and the virus has been detected in almost all of the seal species in Antarctica.
Scientists are concerned that deadly bird flu—which travelled 7,000 kilometres from South America to Crozet and Kerguelen Islands—could be carried by asymptomatic animals to Australia’s sub-Antarctic islands and then to mainland Australia.
Australia has many unique marine species, such as Australian sea lions, which are at great risk from bird flu. This endemic species is already endangered, with only about 12,000 individuals remaining. Mass mortalities such as those observed in South America would be a devastating blow for Australian sea lion populations.
Bird flu could arrive in Australia at any time, putting our marine wildlife at grave risk.
What Should be Done to Protect Australian Wildlife from Bird Flu?
Collaboration and preparation is crucial: state and federal government agencies, conservation organisations and the community must work together to protect Australia’s precious marine wildlife from bird flu and be prepared for a robust response should it reach our shores.
To prevent the devastating impacts of bird flu on our wildlife, we need a coordinated, nation-wide monitoring plan, strong biosecurity measures for early detection and we must be ready to act quickly to prevent the introduction and spread in wildlife populations, particularly for vulnerable species such as Australian sea lions.
What is AMCS doing?
AMCS is working with colleagues at the Biodiversity Council, Invasive Species Council, BirdLife Australia and the Australian Land Conservation Alliance to raise greater awareness and to urgently call on the Australian government to:
- Continue prioritising investment into a broad national wildlife preparedness taskforce, co-led by the Agriculture and Environment departments, together with non-government participants, to drive collaborative preparedness.
- Ensure that H5 HPAI preparedness and response remains a priority issue for Agriculture Ministers throughout the year and not just ahead of the spring migration, reflecting the fact that bird flu remains an ongoing threat.
- Scale up public communication, including working with non-government partners to achieve this effectively.
Take our action now: https://www.marineconservation.org.au/actions/bird-flu/
What to look out for
The public should report any unusual bird deaths immediately by calling the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
Wildlife Health Australia have produced detailed advice for people who encounter sick or dead wild birds.
Look for:
- Small groups or clusters (5 or more) of sick or dead wild birds of any species.
- Individual or less than 5 sick or dead wild seabirds, waterbirds, shorebirds or birds of prey (e.g. eagles, hawks)
Infected live birds may show a wide range of signs if they are sick, including:
- lack of coordination, tremors, swimming in circles
- twisted necks or other unusual posture
- inability to stand or fly
- diarrhoea
- difficulty breathing, coughing or sneezing
- swelling around the head, neck and eyes
- cloudiness or change in colour of the eyes.
Want to learn more?
Listen to the webinar hosted by the Biodiversity Council and find further resources here.