Australian wildlife is at risk due to the predicted arrival of the H5N1 bird flu variant. Source: Oren Rozen via Animalia
As spring approaches, H5N1 bird flu variant has an increased likelihood of reaching Australia.
Bird flu is a pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) that is highly contagious and deadly for poultry and other animals.
The H5N1 variant has been detected in poultry and cattle in the United States. H5N1 can cause sudden death and respiratory issues for animals.
Humans who have experienced H5N1 often suffer from headaches, fevers, aching muscles, and possible fatality. According to the World Health Organisation, from 2003 to 2024, 463 humans have died due to H5N1.
Australia’s main concerns regarding the bird flu is the impacts it can have on farmers, stock distribution, and wildlife.
According to Genome Biology — a peer-reviewed journal — the black swan is extremely sensitive to pathogenic avian influenza. It has been theorised that the reasons as to why the black swan thrives in Australia and New Zealand might be because there has been no HPAIV endemic.
Dr Carol Booth — an Invasive Species Council Analyst — has reported that “since arriving in South America in late 2022, bird flu has killed more than 30,000 South American sea lions, 17,000 southern elephant seal pups and unknown numbers of porpoises, dolphins and otters, as well as at least 650,000 native birds”.
H5N1 has the potential to eliminate endangered birds and species. Alongside the black swan, Australia’s seals, sea lions, and little penguins are three other species that are in danger in the case of any deadly virus.
Australia’s sea lion population is approximately 12,000 which makes it extremely vulnerable to any damage or virus. The disease can spread significantly via dead infected birds, which are usually eaten by seals and sea lions.
Specialists have often remarked the arrival of H5N1 as a matter of “when, not if”, inferring that the variant will reach Australia. A clear sign of H5N1 arrival would be if dead birds begin appearing in large numbers.
In the Netherlands, individuals have responded by collecting dead birds before mammals can feed on them.
In the US, there has been a strong push for the distribution of flu vaccinations among farmers. There has also been additional funding for farmers’ healthcare, testing, and treatment resources.
In July, the Australian Federal Agricultural Minister provided $7 million to support Australia against the H5N1 variant; however, University of Queensland virologist, Kristy Short, suggests $7 million is not enough and the reaction time is regrettable.
